Calvary Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
This sermon explores the practical outworking of the gospel in Christian behavior, focusing on Romans 13 as guides for holy living. It emphasizes that believers are called to be distinct from the world through humility and love, fulfilling their duties to civil authorities while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God. The text highlights the believer's obligation to avoid debt except for the debt of love toward all people, reflecting God's character. Furthermore, it stresses the urgency of personal holiness and obedience in light of Christ's imminent return. The message calls believers to endure persecution with faith, trusting in God's sovereignty over history and government.
As we continue in Romans, this message explores the practical outworking of salvation in Romans 12, urging believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices and reject conformity to the world. It contrasts the failed Levitical priesthood with the new covenant reality where all believers serve as priests and kings through Christ. Drawing on Daniel's prophecy, the sermon explains how Jesus fulfilled the law and ended the old sacrificial system, granting believers divine sonship and authority.
The sermon centers on the necessity of genuine, covenant love within the church as the foundation for authentic Christian living, rooted in the transformative power of God's grace and the renewing of the mind. Drawing from Romans 12 and 2 Thessalonians, it warns against the dangers of spiritual complacency, nominal faith, and the deception of lawlessness—manifested in self-serving religious activity, false signs, and a rejection of biblical truth. True faith is marked by repentance, obedience, and a commitment to the gospel's fullness. The church is called to embody Christ's love by humbling self, honoring others, and persevering in faith. We must reject the world's values of self-fulfillment and materialism in favor of spiritual poverty that leads to true riches.
This message presents a vision of the Christian life as a holy and royal priesthood, rooted in the New Testament's fulfillment of Old Testament priestly imagery. Drawing from 1 Peter 2:9 and Hebrews, it emphasizes that all believers, as co-heirs with Christ, are consecrated by His sacrifice to serve as priests in God's eternal temple. Believers are called to a personal, intimate union and communion with God. This is not a human office but by divine appointment and the Holy Spirit's work to produce holiness, obedience, and spiritual service. The message warns against spiritual complacency and the distortion of priesthood into institutional hierarchy.
This message presents a transformative vision of Christian life rooted in worship and total surrender to God. Worship is not defined by ritual but by renewal. Drawing from Romans 12, the message emphasizes that every believer is both priest and king in the temple/church. As every priest under the old covenant was called of God to serve the covenant community, so new covenant believers are to live out the gospel through humble, Spirit-empowered unity in the body of Christ. Each has been given diverse gifts to be used for mutual edification. Central to this identity is love—expressed in selfless and joyful service to others—reflecting Christ's own example. The passage calls for a radical departure from worldly conformity, urging believers to pursue holiness, patience, peace, and active mercy, even toward enemies.
There are three sections to the letter to the Romans. The first section addresses the gospel of Christ; the only way any can be saved and have eternal life (chapters 1-8). The second section addresses the apparent failure of gospel due to the Jew's rejection of Jesus (chapters.9-11). No, the gospel has not failed, but the Jewish rejection enabled God to open the gospel to Gentiles as well, which has always been His plan. The third section addresses the practical application of the gospel to life (chapters 12-16). This message demonstrates that the new covenant era was launched when Jesus arose and ascended to the Father's right hand. The church is now the temple of God where He dwell with His people. All believers are now priests offering acceptable worship to God by presenting their own bodies as living, not bloody, sacrifices to God. By this offering, they are able to discern through testing what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
We are celebrating our Lord's resurrection on this day. Jesus came to earth to repair the damage done by the first man, Adam. Or, as Paul wrote, "For as in Adam all die" (1 Corinthians 15:22). Christ died and then rose again so that all in Christ will live eternally. The resurrection of Christ was of vital importance for, again as Paul wrote, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Romans 12:1–2 frames the Christian's expected response of worship rooted in God's mercy and grace, which are the foundation of both salvation and sanctification. It emphasizes that true obedience arises not from human effort but from the transformative power of divine grace, enabling believers to offer their entire selves as living sacrifices in holy service. Drawing on the imagery of the temple and priesthood, these verses redefine worship as a holistic, spiritual, and rational response—renouncing conformity to the world and embracing the renewal of the mind through Scripture. This transformation is evidenced by humility, recognizing that every believer is a vital part of Christ's body, with gifts and roles assigned by God, not by human merit. This fact calls for mutual edification rather than self-promotion. Ultimately, church is to discern God's will through faithful, Spirit-led living that honors God's eternal purposes.
Romans 12:1–2 is the pivotal transition from doctrine to duty, being rooted in God's mercies. Here Paul calls believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices in holy worship, emphasizing the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan—restoring all things through Christ. The Church, true spiritual Israel, is now the temple of God, replacing the old covenant system. Paul appeals to holiness and obedience, grounded in the irrevocable nature of God's gifts and calling, and the ultimate goal of His sovereign mercy, which extends to all nations.
This sermon follows last week's message and centers on Romans 11 to show that Paul's focus on chapters 9-11 was the elect remnant within Israel—chosen by God's grace, not by ethnic descent. True Israel is not defined by physical lineage but by faith in Christ. Drawing from Old Testament history, Jesus' parables, and Paul's writings, it argues that national Israel's rejection of Christ led to the transfer of God's kingdom to a spiritual people composed of both Jews and Gentiles. The passage refutes the notion of a future mass restoration of ethnic Israel, instead affirming that God's mercy extends to all who believe, and that the fullness of the Gentiles and the salvation of a believing remnant are part of the ongoing gospel age.
Paul's response to the question of God's word apparently failing due to Israel's rejection of Christ is covered in Romans 9–11. God's plan has not failed because His purpose was the inclusion of Gentiles into the "olive tree," His true people. These people of God are not defined by physical descent but by faith in the promise, as exemplified by Abraham. Within Israel, there was a chosen remnant that formed the true spiritual people of God. Chapter 11 uses the metaphor of the olive tree to illustrate how Gentiles are grafted into that covenant people through faith, while warning against spiritual pride. The ultimate fulfillment of 'all Israel' is not a future mass conversion of ethnic Jews, but the complete union of believing Jews and Gentiles in Christ, forming the fullness of God's elect, who are predestined, called, justified, and glorified through faith in Christ.
The sermon centers on the imperative for believers to discern God's will through spiritual maturity, divine wisdom, and persistent prayer, grounded in Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes that the church, though currently suffering and fragmented, is destined for ultimate triumph as the bride of Christ. This victory is assured, not by human strength but by God's sovereign plan. The triumph of the church will be fulfilled in the final defeat of evil. The true church's apparent weakness is deceptive, as the true nature of God's kingdom is spiritual and eternal. Christ's victory has already secured the church's victory through His resurrection and ongoing reign. Thus, we are called to patient endurance. The enemy's triumph—symbolized by the rider on the white horse—is ultimately self-destructive, while the true, conquering Christ will return in glory as the faithful and true King.
This sermon, based on Paul's obligation as an apostle to the Gentiles, centers on the universal outreach of the gospel beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries. It highlights the tension between Jewish reliance on the law and Gentile reception of salvation through faith alone. Righteousness does not come through legalistic obedience but by grace alone faith through in Christ, who is the fulfillment of the law. The message confronts the spiritual pride of Israel, whose failure to believe stemmed not from God's unfaithfulness but from their hardened hearts and rejection of divine revelation. Paul demonstrates God's sovereign grace in the calling Gentiles who had never sought Him at all. Romans 9–11 affirms that God's plan remains intact: there is remnant of faith, both Jew and Gentile, who are His true people. At the same time, salvation is available to all who call on the name of the Lord. Ultimately, the gospel is presented as a divine invitation that exposes human pride and calls for humble surrender, rooted in the mercy and sovereignty of God.
The sermon, rooted in Romans 9:30–10:13, explores the paradox of Gentiles attaining righteousness by faith while Israel, despite their diligent pursuit of the law, failed to obtain it. It emphasizes that God's sovereignty in election and human responsibility are not contradictory but harmonious, as salvation comes through faith in Christ, not human effort. The Gentiles, though not seeking righteousness, received it by hearing the gospel and believing, while Israel's self-reliance on the law—rooted in pride and ignorance—led them to stumble over Christ, the cornerstone.
The central message of this passage is that God's covenant promises are fulfilled not in national Israel as a collective entity, but in the spiritual descendants of Abraham—those who believe in Christ by faith. Paul dismantles the misconception that ethnic or ceremonial privileges alone secure divine favor, demonstrating through Scripture that God's election is based on His sovereign will, not human merit, as seen in the choices of Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. He affirms God's justice by affirming His sovereignty, using the metaphor of the potter and clay to show that God's purposes in mercy and wrath are righteous and purposeful, ultimately revealing His glory through the salvation of a remnant from both Jews and Gentiles. The stumbling block for Israel was their pursuit of righteousness through the law rather than faith, causing them to reject Christ—the cornerstone whom God has exalted. In contrast, the Church, composed of both believing Jews and Gentiles, is the true people of God, built on Christ as the foundation, fulfilling the Old Testament promises and embodying the spiritual reality of God's redemptive plan.
This sermon centers on the theological integrity of God's sovereignty in salvation. Paul raises the issue of sovereignty in response to Israel's rejection of Christ. What does this rejection mean for God's plan? Paul responds that God's promises have not failed because true spiritual Israel is defined not by physical descent but by faith in Christ. A close examination of Romans 9 affirms the doctrine of election, demonstrating that God's choices are not based on human merit or foreseen faith, but on His sovereign will to fulfill His redemptive purpose. The passage confronts the human tendency to question God's justice, asserting that God's ways are beyond human comprehension and that His mercy is freely given, not earned. Ultimately, salvation is entirely by grace through faith, grounded in God's eternal decree. The believer's security rests not in his own will but in God's unchanging love and purpose in Christ.
Romans 8:26–39 unfolds a triumphant theology of divine security, where believers, empowered by the Spirit, are assured of their eternal status as children and heirs of God, united with Christ in both suffering and glory. The passage reveals that the Spirit intercedes for believers in their weakness, enabling prayer and guaranteeing that all things—suffering included—work together for their ultimate good and God's glory, grounded in God's eternal purpose to conform them to Christ's image. This unshakable assurance is rooted in God's foreknowledge, predestination, and the finished work of Christ, which secures believers' justification and future glorification, rendering any accusation, condemnation, or separation from God's love impossible. The chapter culminates in a powerful declaration that nothing in creation—neither tribulation nor death, neither angels nor powers—can sever the believer's bond with the love of God in Christ Jesus, affirming that those who are in Him are more than conquerors through His enduring love.
Paul closes his discussion of the gospel by showing that believers now operate under a new law, "the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (8:2). This law frees them from the law of sin and death to enjoy and new freedom to walk in the Spirit. This walk is enabled and maintained by a new mindset on the things of the Spirit. This message investigates and explains this new mind set of the Spirit.
My Christmas message centers on Isaiah's prophecy. Students of Isaiah have identified 131 prophecies that relate to Messiah. This message surveys some of them as they relate to God's plan to restore all things in Christ.
Continuing with the subject of sanctification, Paul addresses the work of the Spirit in that process. Many wrongly seek to improve their spiritual life through self-effort. Paul cites his own struggle in the matter and arrives at the conclusion that sanctification is only possible through the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Sanctification is only possible when we walk in the Spirit.
This section of Paul's discussion of Romans focuses on sanctification. The death of Christ accomplished the justification of believers. Christ's perfect life demonstrated in His resurrection provides the believers with perfect righteousness so that they can come into God's presence. The risen Savior also gave the Spirit of God to His own to change their earthly lives through holiness to match the righteousness of Christ through their obedience. This message also addresses the issue of the will.
Paul deals with sin's reign and how, through the gospel, God has ended that reign. The reign of sin began when Adam sinned, and all his descendants became sinners. We sin because we are sinners. We have Adam's sinful nature. God changed all than for believers by putting them in the Last Adam, Jesus Christ. Believers are no longer under sin's reign. Grace now reigns through righteousness leading to eternal life!
The issue over law and grace is really not about human effort. Sadly, many Christians believe that keeping rules pleases God. The Pharisees, of which Paul was one, believed that keeping the law made them right with God. Jesus came to show the way to truly obey God and please Him.
As Paul develops the gospel message of salvation, he deals with the issue of law and grace. Two questions are posed, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" (6:1). The answer is No! His second question is "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?"
This passage explains what it is to be saved in Christ. The desire of God to restore all things to righteousness and holiness required a last Adam who would obey God fully. His death justified sinners and enabled them to be reconciled to God. However, God desires more, full fellowship, which requires sanctification to holiness. Jesus' resurrection assures that process which will be completed when beleivers are resurrected on the Last Day.
In this message, we continue in the text of our last message, Romans 5:1-5. As stated in the last message, Paul now demonstrates how the gospel changes the lives of those saved by it. In this message, we dig a little deeper into what it means to have peace with God.
Romans 5 begins a new section in Paul's development of the gospel. He has proven by Scripture that the justification of ungodly sinners can be obtained only by grace through faith. Now he applies that truth to show how it changes the lives of those who are justified by faith.
With all the tension and turmoil in the world in recent days, I was burdened to prepare a message asking whether we may be in the time just before the return of the Lord, No one knows for sure, but we are commanded to know the times and keep alert, faithful, fearless, and true to Christ and will for us.
Paul's use of Abrham is to correct the Jews about their understanding of salvation, that it is not by works but solely of Grace. What did Abraham believe? This message focuses on that question. Our next message will deal with the question, when did he believe? This passage is also part of Paul's purpose to show that the gospel is not limited the Jews, but that Abraham was the father of many nations. The gospel for all believing sinners, Jew and Gentile alike.
This message is a sort of preview of Romans chapter 4. There are seven principles the righteousness revealed that bridge the gap from wrath revealed and finally illustrated in Abraham.
The final section of Romans 3 sets forth the truth that righteousness is possible for those already judged unrighteous and liable for punishment. In this section, (vv. 21-31), Paul shows that God has manifested righteousness through faith in Christ. This is a gift to sinners by grace and not works. This manifest righteousness also vindicates God's past dealings, overlooking judgment due to old covenant offenders.
Our missionary to Mexico, Joshua Rose, preached a very encouraging message on why we need to stay faithful and persevere, even when it seems impossible to do so. Judah was about entering judgment in her exile to Babylon. Yet, God commanded the prophet to buy a field, something that seemed totally out of place. The lesson here is that we need to be faithful to the end with a song in our hearts.
This passage (Romans 3:21-31) forms the "golden bridge" that crosses the divide between the wrath of God and the grace of God. At this point, Paul begins to develop the positive aspects of salvation, such as justification, sanctification, ending in glorification.
The third chapter of Romans continues Paul's argument for the gospel. His wrath has been revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. Now, who qualifies for that indictment? All do. However, the Jews did not believe that they were under God's wrath due to their privilege under God's covenant with Abraham. They were given the law, and they bore the mark of circumcision. The second chapter destroyed that claim. So, the objection was raised, "what advantage was there in being Jewish? Paul answered, "Much every way." They were made custodians of God's Word but were unfaithful to it. However, the unfaithfulness of Israel revealed the greatness of God's faithfulness l.
While Romans was written to the Gentile church in Rome, Paul seeks to correct the errors of the Jews regarding the Gospel of God. While the nation of Israel prayed a significant role in salvation history, they presumed that they alone were the objects of God's special attention. Thus, they assumed they did not need the gospel, nor were they concerned about God's wrath. Paul sought to address these errors in chapter 2 and demonstrate God's plan to save both Jews and Gentiles by and in Christ Jesus.
In this first chapter, as Paul sets forth the good news of salvation, he begins by revealing the bad news. All, both Jew and Gentile, are subject to the wrath of God due to their sinful rebellion. Sadly, the Jews drew false conclusions about their standing with God due to their descent from Abraham. The fact is, neither religion nor moral uprightness will secure anyone from that judgment. Only Jesus Christ through can save us from that day.
Paul opens his argument for the gospel by revealing the need for it. God is righteous and no descendant of Adam is, due to Adam's disobedience. Thus, Romans 1:18-32 demonstrates the total depravity of man summarized in Romans 3:10, "None is righteous, no, not one." The sad news is that when people reject God, He rejects them and allows their sinful tendencies to play out in three stages: (1) when people refuse the truth about God, He lets them worship false gods. (2) When they worship the creature, God lets them degrade the creature. (3) The degraded creature not only plunge into greater debauchery, but they also take pleasure in those who do what they do, knowing that it is wrong.
Paul opens his argument for the gospel of Christ by first explaining the need for that gospel. All of Adam's descendants are guilty of ungodliness and unrighteousness and are, thus subject to the wrath of God. None can claim ignorance of this wrath for God has already plainly revealed it to them in both conscience and nature. The focus of this message is to explain wrath in God. Our tendency is to project on God our own experience. Our anger and rage flow from our emotional response against what angers us. God, however, is holy and righteous. Wrath is His natural response to what is unholy and unrighteous. I would argue that it is not an emotional reaction. This message explains this.
The gospel is about Jesus Christ because He is the Salvation of God. Salvation is deliverance from both the guilt of sin and the power of sin. As Paul stated in verse 17 of chapter one, it was "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, the Jew first and also to the Greek."
As noted last week, the theme of Romans is the gospel of God (v. 1). Paul had been set apart to that gospel, which was to be preached in all the world, calling both Jews and Gentiles to faith in Christ. This plan of God became a real problem to the Jews who regarded themselves as the sole people of God. Romans argues that there is no difference for "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
Romans is the gateway to the New Testament. It is the longest of Paul's letters, but its significance belongs to its being foundational to Christian doctrine. In this message, we introduce both its author and the book itself.
This message from Luke 23 focuses on the necessity of Jesus' death on the cross. The principle is that victory often comes through great suffering. In this case, kingdom realization required Jesus to suffer death as the wrath of God was released on Him to redeem those who would become citizens of the kingdom.
Jesus died according to the Divine plan (Acts 2:23). His death was carried out by wicked hands. Even though it was the plan of God, the evil of it brought both the Jews and the Romans under the judgment of God. This message documents that truth.
In the text of this sermon, the Jews, having tried Jesus by the Sanhedrin at the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, they too Him to the Roman Procurator, Pilate. They wanted Pilate to execute Him because the Jews were forbidden by the Romans to do so. There are many interesting details unnoticed by English readers that give this incident greater clarity. It was God's plan to have His divine Son offered as the Passover Lamb to redeem His people as stated in Acts 2:22-24.
In this forth section on the consummation of Jesus' earthly life and ministry, Luke documents how the disciples failed Him in the hours before His crucifixion. They fully expected Jesus to restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6). Thus, they were blind to Judas' betrayal and when Jesus was arrested, they fled to their own homes. Although Peter followed at a distance, He also failed, as Jesus informed him, denying that he knew the Lord. This would all change when Jesus was raised, and the Spirit was poured out upon them.
This third sermon in Luke's final details of Jesus' life cover chapter 22:20-38, in which Jesus prepares His followers for His inevitable arrest and death at the hands of wicked men. In these verses, Jesus warns, assures, informs, and promises that although they will fail Him soon, they will be restored and stand before Him and to sit with Him in the kingdom He was bring in.
What many Gentile readers do not realize is that Jesus' death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Spirit fulfilled major old covenant Feasts of the Lord--Passover and Pentecost. Jesus, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthains 5:7, 8) was crucified on the day of preparation to fulfill the type.
The elite ruling class of the Jews were determined to rid themselves of Jesus because He was not playing by their rules. The problem, however, was Jesus' popularity among the people. Satan, however, resolved the problem for them. He entered Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, and tempted him to confer with the rulers to betray Him to them in the absence of the people.
Jesus closed His Olivet Discourse by exhorting His followers that there was coming a day of the Lord when judgment would fall on all unbelievers. That day should not catch them distracted by the flesh or the cares of this life. Rather, they should watch and pray so that they might be worthy to stand before the Son of Man.
This message is our last message on Luke's version of the Olivet Discourse. In this message, Jesus clearly warns that generation of the days of vengeance that were coming to end the old covenant era with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Sancturary. Jesus would become the Savior and Judge from that day forward. This message focuses on the troubling statements concluding this chapter.
In this third part of Luke 21, Jesus gave a series of warnings to the disciples. The first was to be careful and not be deceived. There are many errors about the end times, and Jesus wants us to be careful not to be led into error. Then, He cautioned them to not be terrified about the tumult of the times. Finally, He warned those living in and around Jerusalem at the time of the Roman assault on the city and its destruction (a.d. 70). The days ahead, were days of vengeance, as forewarned in Malachi.
In this second part of the discussion of Luke 21, the Olivet Discourse, we see that the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem are a preview of the coming "Day of the Lord" at the end of the age. One of the great problems of our day is the great variety of views on the issue of prophecy. This confusion is due to a great deal of deception. Jesus warned, "See that you are not led astray" (Luke 21:8). Prophecy can be very confusing. We must let the plain teaching guide our understanding of the difficult passages.
All three Synoptic Gospels deal with the Olivet Discourse. The major theme of this passage in Luke is the "days of vengeance" that would come upon the nation of Israel due to their rejection of their King. This message introduces this subject, with the question, did Jesus offer to restore the kingdom to Israel in His triumphal entry?
The final chapters of Luke record Jesus' rejection by the religious authorities in Jerusalem, a necessary Develpoment to insure His death on the cross. The text of this message describes the conflict with Jesus to trick Jesus into saying something they could use against Him but also turn the people against Him also. Jesus proved His authority over them by His ability to shut them down at every turn. What a great Savior!
As Jesus progressed in His final trip to Jerusalem, He gave the parable of the minas (Luke 19:11-27) to inform His followers that the kingdom of God was not to be fully realized at that time. The focus of parable was the duty of His servants during His absence. However, the parable also revealed that He had enemies who refused His authority over them (v. 14). After His Triumphal Entry and cleansing temple ((19:20-48), Jesus' authority was challenged by the Sadducees and the scribes of the Pharisees (20:1-8). In response, Jesus gave the parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:9-18). This message focuses on the backstory of their rejection of Him and His rejection of them.
This message is on the Parable of the Minas (pounds, KJV), which Jesus gave to the disciples because they assumed the kingdom would appear immediately (19:11). Jesus corrected them that His main mission as to seek and to save the lost (19:10). He was about to leave to receive the kingdom. His servants would remain to invest His minas for increase (spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth) in His absence. They were also warned that they would give account for their service when He returned.
Jesus entered Jericho and planned to spend the night with Zaccheaus before the difficult climb from the Jordan River to the heights of Zion and Jerusalem. Luke tells us that he encountered a blind man whom He healed there also. This message compares these two men and illustrates the closing verse, that the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
On the final trip to Jerusalem, as Jesus and His followers approached Jericho, Jesus gave them, for the third time, the fact that He was going to be taken, abused, turned over to the Gentiles to be crucified. The disciples did not understand this due to their preconceived belief that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to establish the kingdom and the throne of David (see Luke 19:11). Jesus did not want them to understand the truth until after He ascended to the Father's right hand. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, it is amazing to see how their understanding was changed. Just read the book of Acts. On the other hand, the hardness and rebellion of the Jews kept them in the dark for judgment.
Jesus was approached by a wealthy young ruler as He was leaving a village in Galilee. The man asked Him about what good thing he need to do in order to inherit eternal (kingdom) life. Luke used this incident to address the disciples on the cost of discipleship. there were several things in their thinking that required adjustment. What are you trusting to gain eternal life. Listen and learn.
This portion of Luke closes his unique section. In this section, Jesus gives the parable of the Pharisee and a Publican (tax collector). The purpose of the parable was to demonstrate repentance the led to the tax collector's justification as opposed to the prideful self-righteousness of the Pharisee, whose condition place him in danger of eternal condemnation, although he supposed himself to be right with God.
Jesus continued to inform His followers that they must not expect a visible kingdom established by His overthrowing the Gentiles. The kingdom was spiritual and would be in them, as they lived out kingdom principles in the world. The days of this spiritual kingdom would be difficult, but they must not lose heart. To instruct them in this, Jesus told a parable about the persistent widow who won her case before an unrighteous judge.
The Pharisees and the disciples help the belief that Messiah/Christ would bring the kingdom of God back to Israel through military force. Thus, as Jesus neared the end of His public ministry, the Pharisees asked, with distain and derision, when He was going to act and set up the kingdom. Jesus replied to them that His kingdom was not visible but spiritual. This encounter, then, provided Him with the opportunity to address the disciples as to the nature of the kingdom. In this, He warned them that the days coming after His ascension would be difficult. Nevertheless, they were to persist in His will until the day He would return to judge the world.
What does Jesus mean when he referred to the servant in Luke 17:10 as unworthy or unprofitable servant. Actually, the idea is that the servant has not added anything or profited his master but has only accomplished what was expected of him. Jesus stressed that His followers are servants of God who are expected to do the will of God.
This passage continues Lukes's discussion of the rising conflict between Jesus and the Jews. The issue is aimed at the disciples, warning them that His enemies are their enemies as well. They were to pay careful attention to themselves in their dealings with others.
The story of the rich man and Lazarus was given to inform the Pharisees -who were lovers of money, v. 14, identifying them with the rich man-, of their eternal state. They refused to hear the words of Jesus, which were not mere human words and opinions. Jesus was the divine Word from God, making His words, truly, the Word of God.-The Story also informs the reader of the place where OT people went after death. It was a temporary place because the saved were transferred to glory after Jesus' death -Ephesians 4-8, 9-. Those in torment, the unsaved, will remain there until the Great White Throne Judgment -Revelation 20-14, 15-, after which they will be cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer eternally.
Jesus' words were often difficult for some listeners. However, hearing His words in faith and obedience are necessary to enter the kingdom of God -John 6-66-. In Luke 16, the Pharisee's had issues with Jesus' words -16-14- that He spoke in verses 9-13. Jesus responded to them in the text of this message. He accused them of false expectations and making money their idol. If one claims to be a Christian but justifies a sinful lifestyle under the guise of mere profession and assumption that God's grace will cover him, he is a liar and lost.
After giving the parable directed at the grumbling Pharisees -15-1-31-, Jesus turned to the disciples and gave them a parable -16-1-13-. Luke used chapters 13-16 to contrast those who believed themselves fit for the kingdom of heaven. First, He dealt with those who supposed that they were kingdom citizens, the Jews of Jesus' day. Jesus plainly told them that they were excluded -13-28-. Shifting His attention to His followers, He taught them the necessity of focusing on their being received into the eternal kingdom -the age to come- to govern their living in this age. He argued that they must be worldly wise as -children of light,- which. sadly, found them short when compared to the shrewdness of the -sons of this age.-
Luke 15 and 16 contain material unique to Luke. Chapter 15 contains a single parable told in three stories, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The stories were Jesus' response the grumbling Pharisees that He received sinners and ate with them. The parable reveals the motivation of the Savior in seeking out the lost that there would be great joy in heaven. The Pharisees might grumble, but the Father rejoices over one sinner who repents.
In the first part, we introduced the context of John 3-16, which is often neglected. This verse is not a stand-alone verse as many take it. It, rather, sums up the discussion of Christ as the Son of Man -vv. 13-15-. It does not present the gospel but declares the purpose of God in sending His Son into the world.
This message shows how God loved the world, that is, His created order, the cosmos. We plan to take two messages for this. The first deals with the context, both immediate and remote, to show how John reveals Jesus, the last Adam, as God's means to fulfill what the first Adam failed to do. The second Adam was corporate, the nation of Israel. Israel also failed to expand Eden to the ends of the Earth. In light of these failures, Jesus came to become the new temple and the new nation.
Jesus placed three requirements on those who would come to Him to be His disciple or student. The disciple must hate father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and his own life. Hate, as we show in the message, means rejecting the pressures of family and self in order to make Jesus Lord of all and to follow Him without regard to anything else. It to bear one's cross, a willingness to suffer, even to death, for the glory of Christ It is also to surrender all rights to what one possesses and to become a steward of them, not the owner. Jesus must be Lord of every aspect of one's life.
Luke places the Lord's discussion on the cost of following Him right after His parable of the great banquet. One can see the connection between the two sections by noting the language used. Jesus summarized the section by noting that salt is good, but if it has lost its potency, it cannot be restored nor is it of any use. The issue is that claiming to follow Christ, but actually living for oneself spoils one's worth either to himself or the kingdom.
Parables contain symbolism to convey spiritual truth to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. Jesus gave the parable of the great banquet in response to an invited guest who understood Jesus' words and exclaimed, -Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God-- -Luke 14-15-. The parable Jesus gave defines who the -everyone- is, and how they are brought into the banquet. Sadly, those originally invited, the Jews, refused -save the elect remnant-. Nevertheless, the Father intends that His banquet will be filled. This is the work of the gospel in this age until Jesus comes again.
After Jesus silenced the Pharisees in their effort to condemn Him for a supposed Sabbath violation, Jesus confronted them over their prideful choice of seats of honor at the Sabbath banquet. God opposes the proud -James 4-6-. Pride is the root of all human sinfulness. Sadly, the disciples were not immune to this awful tendency, as noted in Mark 10. Jesus, Himself, became the supreme example of what God desires of all His children. -But this is the one to whom I -the Lord- will look- he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word -Isaiah 66-2, ESV-. Jesus reversed what by worldly standards is considered for greatness and recognition.
Luke documents six Sabbath confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees. In each incident, Jesus met the charge that He was a -Sabbath breaker by revealing the hypocrisy and error of the Jews in their adding to the law rules that God did not give. Instead of seeing their error and respecting Jesus for revealing the error, they only doubled down in their hostility toward Him. However, in His wisdom, Jesus brought the Pharisees to the place where they were no longer able to answer Him. In this process, Jesus also revealed that He, not a day, was the true Sabbath.
Jesus spoke of the narrow door -Luke- and the narrow gate -Matthew-, the entry leading to the kingdom and eternal life. The Luke mention was in response to the question, -Lord, will those who are saved be few--- -Luke 13-23-. This question, asked near the end of the Lord's public ministry was based on the observation that only a few people in Israel were believing and following Jesus. Jesus' answer supported this observation, noting that most in Israel presumed their place and position in the kingdom was due to their being the natural offspring of Abraham. Jesus sought to correct this notion by showing that only new covenant people -which included Gentiles- would be part of the kingdom, but the disbelieving Jews would be cast out -v. 28-. Do not presume on your entrance to eternal life, make sure of it -2 Corinthians 13-5-.
Luke's Gospel traces the inevitable and divinely engineered change from the old covenant economy to the new covenant kingdom of God. This message traces Jesus' response to the indignation of the religious leaders to its cause and contrasts it with the judgment that awaited the nation.
As Jesus taught in a synagogue, a woman, the victim of a disabling spirit for 18 years, was present. Jesus saw her, had compassion, and healed her. The ruler of the synagogue became very indignant because the healing took place on a Sabbath. Jeus corrects this man's faulty view of Sabbath.
In this message, we trace the warning Jesus gives concerning coming judgment, but when -some- listened, they sought to accuse Jesus, a Galilean, of being part of a people under the judgment of God, not like them, the people of Jerusalem. Jesus countered by demonstrating that not all tragedy is judgment.
In the closing weeks of Jesus' ministry, He gave a series of instructions regarding their conduct in a hostile world. They must never fear anything for the Father gave them the kingdom. He would providentially watch over them and meet their needs. They, on their part, must seek first the kingdom of God and His will. As His witnesses in the world, they must openly confess Him. As servants of God, they must be about His business, looking forward with joyful anticipation He return to them, at which time He would reward them.
Jesus was preparing His disciples for His soon departure. He began with a wonderful promise that it was the Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom. This was a present fact. They had it. Now they must learn to live kingdom lives before the world. They must not fear persecution or worry about earthly needs. Rather, they must make it their priority to seek the kingdom as they waited for their Lord's promised return.
Continuing to expose and rebuke the Jew leadership, Jesus warned that fear and anxiety were incompatible with kingdom living. Two forms of anxiety were noted, being fearful of persecution and being overly concerned with worldly cares. -In this message, we develop the big picture concerning the kingdom of God--God's present reign over all creation. Two errors blinded the Jews to the kingdom and their rejection of Christ, Messiah. First, they assumed the nature of the kingdom to be national and political. Second, the believed Messiah would overthrow the Gentiles and make the nation of Israel first in the world. Jesus, however, demonstrated the spiritual nature of the kingdom and its inclusion of people of all nations and races. Jesus assured His followers, -Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom- -v. 31-.
Luke 12 opens a new emphasis but incorporates the events of the previous chapter. Jesus left the house of the Pharisee who had invited Him to dine. In that dinner, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Lawyers for their hypocrisy. He now turned His attention to the Twelve Disciples and the crowd listening in. This warning Jesus gave them was to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which was hypocrisy. This message identifies this problem and gives Jesus' solution to it--the fear of God.
Jesus, on the occasion of being asked to dinner, shocked the host by failing to wash His hands. This was not a matter of cleanliness, but compliance with the -tradition of the elders,- which Jewish leaders regarded as more important that Scripture. Jesus, in responding, took the Pharisees and Lawyers to task for their hypocrisy. Modern Christ-followers need to pay close attention that they -hear the Word of God and keep it- -Luke 11-28-,
This message continues Jesus confrontation of His generation. Jesus called it an evil generation because they wanted to force God to be subject to them. Matthew adds adulterous to the accusation, revealing their betray of their covenant obligation to Yahweh. The people demanded a sign, but Jesus said that no sign would be given except the sign of Jonah. This message deals with what that means.
We have demonstrated that Luke is addressing the kingdom of God, but more specifically, the kingdom in conflict. This is evident in the text before us as Jesus confronted His critics who accused Him of casting out demons through the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus shows the absurdity of that accusation. He also revealed the key to kingdom living--hearing the Word of God and keeping it.
Luke's version of the -Lord's Prayer- is found in Luke 11-1-13. As the disciples watched Jesus pray, one of them asked Jesus to teach them to pray. In four brief phrases, Jesus gave the essence of prayer, then expanded the lesson by urging them to be persistent in their praying. The difference between what Matthew's version, recorded in 6-1-13 and Luke's is that Matthew treats the prayer in the context of kingdom conduct, whereas Luke addresses it in the context of kingdom conflict.
The lesson before us is recorded in the last story which closes the 10th chapter of Luke. The setting is the home of Mary and Martha of Bethany, a village in the shadow of Jerusalem. Luke focuses on the way these two women relate to Jesus in worship and service. Both were doing right thing, but Martha, in her service, became distracted in her devotion to Jesus. In this distracted state, she complained to Jesus and requested that He intercede and get Mary to help her. Jesus gently rebuked her by showing that Mary chose the good part, which He would not take from her. How do you show your love and service to Jesus--
Jesus rejoiced that the Father chose to reveal truth to spiritual children but concealed them from the -wise and intelligent,- referring to the scribes and Pharisees. Overhearing this, a lawyer -a scribe- sought to catch Him in an error that might be used to condemn Him. Thus, he asked, -What shall I do to inherit eternal life--- -Luke 10-25-. Jesus responded by pointing him to the commandments. There are two issued about this that modern Christian readers miss. They are explained in this message.
When the seventy returned from their mission -Luke 10-1-12-, they were rejoicing over what they did. Jesus, however, directed their joy to focus rather on their status--that their names were recorded in heaven -v. 20-. Just before this, Jesus declared that the source of their power over demons was due to the fact that Satan was now a defeated foe. IMO, that victory was secured when Jesus, as the second Adam, resisted Satan's temptation.
Jesus sent out seventy servants to preach the kingdom of God and prepare for Christ to come to them. Unlike the Twelve whom He sent to the -lost sheep of the house of Israel-, these Seventy were to go to cities of Gentiles as well. He gave them two commands- pray and go. The would be as lambs among wolves.
In this passage, Luke develops the necessity of a true and proper understanding of the nature of the kingdom of God in the present age. He illustrated the wrong perspective of the disciples in three incidents- -1- the request of James and John to sit at Jesus right hand, which resulted in the disciples arguing among themselves. -2- In the next incident, the disciples sought to prevent a follower of Jesus from casting out demons because he was with them. Here they showed a spirit of rivalry and jealousy. -3- In the third incident, the disciples wanted to bring vengeance on a Samaritan village that refused to accommodate the party in their journey to Jerusalem. In this they demonstrated a spirit of hostility. Finally, in the closing verses of chapter 9, Jesus again taught about the cost of following Him.
Luke developed three main themes that are intertwined- -1- His introducing the Kingdom of God, -2- His revealing Himself as he Messiah-Christ, the King of the Kingdom, and -3- His means for instructing and informing His followers of His will and purpose--hearing the Word of God. The verses of the text trace the Lord's testing both the crowds and His followers about their understanding of the Kingdom and its present expression. Sadly, all were looking for the Kingdom to appear as it will in the -world to come. This is clear by the fact that they could not comprehend the fact that Jesus was about to be rejected and crucified at the hands of the Jews.
The disciples were called by Jesus to become heralds of the Kingdom. The King, Messiah Jesus, was training them to carry on His work in spreading the gospel of the Kingdom after His return to the Father. Luke 9 opens with His first sending out of the disciples. His instruction to them focused on their need to trust Him for His supplying all their need. The events that follow this mission center on the response of the people, including King Herod.
This message continues last week's subject. There are 5 cases recorded in Luke 8 that demonstrate Jesus' authority. We covered the first three in the Last Message, this message covers the final two cases, which are intertwined. These cases reveal that Jesus is the King overall and that he was introducing the Kingdom of God into the world. The kingdom would finally restore all the damage sin had wrought in the world. To prove this, Jesus healed diseases, delivered from demon possession, and raised the dead.
Luke 8 focuses on the truth of verse 8- -He who has ears to hear, let him hear.- In other words, one who has been born again has spiritual hearing restored. Let that one listen to the Word. Luke then presents a number of events that involve hearing the Word. -1- He demands to be Lord in our domestic lives -vv. 19-21-. -2- He demonstrates His Lordship over destructive nature -vv. 22-25-. -3- He, being Lord, demands submission of demons -vv. 26-39-. -4- He, being Lord, reveals His power over disease -vv. 42-48-. And -5- Being Lord, He demonstrates authority over death -vv. 49-56-. This message covers the first three. Jesus is Lord. Have you submitted fully to His Lordship over your life--
Jesus continued His preaching tour through the cities proclaiming the kingdom of God -Luke 8-1-. As the crowds came to hear Him, He warned, -He who has ears to hear, let him hear- -Luke 8-8-. He followed this admonition with the parable of the Sower, showing the four kinds of soil -the hearing ear- on which the seed -the Word of God- fell. Explaining the meaning of the parable to the disciples, Jesus concluded with the admonition, -Take care then how you hear.-
This passage explains why John and Jesus' disciples held a wrong understanding of the kingdom of God, one shared by the Jewish people. This misconception led the Jewish leaders to reject Jesus and crucify Him. John was in prison for rebuking Herod for his illegal marriage. This setback caused John to question the circumstances and, consequently, sent disciples to Jesus to ask Him about it. Jesus compassionately pointed them to the proof of His Messianic office, not in reestablishing David's throne in Jerusalem, but in bringing the gospel into the world to save sinners, both Jew and Gentile.
Believers often have expectations of success in service for God. However, the Bible clearly teaches that our service to Christ is met with opposition and persecution. John the Baptist exemplifies this. His expectations of what the kingdom of God should look like--with the Messiah suddenly coming in to establish David's throne in Jerusalem, throwing out the Gentile domination and making all things glorious again--was not happening. Although he heard reports of healings as Jesus taught in the cities of Galilee, the kingdom was not being established. He was in prison with no hope of release, even though he was the prophesied forerunner of Messiah. He wanted confirmation and vindication. This message addresses our Lord's compassionate response to him.
In Chapter 7, Luke records the effect of the Lord's compassion and forgiveness on women. Two cases are given some space. First, a poor widow is given a new lease of life when Jesus raised her only son from the dead, giving him back to her -vv. 11-17-. The second involves a sinful woman, who by faith, claimed Jesus' forgiveness and sought Him out to lavish on Him grateful worship -vv. 36-50-. This was done in the house of a judgmental Pharisee who had invited Jesus to eat with him. Jesus, knowing the man's thoughts, confronted him with the truth and publicly declared the woman's forgiveness, sending her away in peace. -Chapter 8-1-3, in my opinion. belong to chapter 7 because they speak of other women-many-who followed Jesus and provided for Him and His disciples out of their means. These women received the benefit of Jesus grace and compassion in being healed, freed of demonic possession, or restoration. Three are named, revealing the stark contrast on their status and circumstances.
Christmas is all about Jesus and His incarnation. He is the seed of the woman spoken of in Genesis 3-15. This message high lights four women that play into the fulfillment of this first declared spiritual war of the ages. Two visions of Zechariah reveal the final scenes of this war. The judgment on the woman in the basket -5-1-11- and the triumph of Messiah -6-9-15-.
Leaving the Gospel of Luke for a Sunday, I chose to deal with the issue of the people of God having to suffer and why that is necessary. All things work for the good of God's people, even and especially trials and suffering so that His people may be conformed to the image of His Son -Romans 8-28, 29-. This message traces the plan of God in Hebrews to fulfill the purpose of Christ to make them perfect though suffering. He was made perfect through suffering -Heb. 2-10- in order to sanctify the many sons He was bringing to glory.
Luke's purpose in his Gospel was to explain how Jesus was bringing in the Kingdom of God and that His Kingdom was to shift from a primary Jewish context to a Gentile one. The centurion, a commander of 100 men stationed in Capernaum, was a Gentile who expressed faith that outshined any Jesus had witnessed in Israel. Only two times does Jesus marvel at great faith- this centurion's and that of a Canaanite -Gentile- woman -Matthew 15-. Kingdom citizens are characterized by a faith that is evidenced in persevering obedience to Jesus Christ. How is your faith characterized--
This portion of the Sermon on the Plain deals with the fact that all Jesus' followers will suffer persecution -Luke 6-22-. Indeed, as Paul stated to Timothy, -All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution- -2 Tim. 3-12-. True believers represent the Kingdom of God in a world controlled by Satan, who wants to establish his own kingdom. As per Rev. 12, since he cannot attack Jesus, he will make war on His followers. -In the passage before us -Luke 6-27-49, Jesus informs His Apostles on how they are to respond to their persecutors. This instruction is for all who come after the Apostles, as well.
In discussing the appointment of the Apostles on the mountain and then bringing them down to a level place to instruct them, Luke mentions a very large crowd assembled to hear and be healed by Him. The reference to this crowd, on the surface, seems to be extraneous in light of Jesus stated purpose to instruct the Apostles. I would argue that the inclusion of the crowd was pertinent to the ultimate reason for the Apostles to begin with. Jesus was laying the foundation of His Kingdom and its advancement in world that will be very hostile to it. This is seen in the beatitudes and woes Jesus pronounced to introduce His sermon. As Paul stated to Timothy, -All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted- -2 Tim. 3-12-. This reality is due to Kingdom citizens living in a world of evil people.
Jesus prayed all night and, in the morning, called the His disciples to Him and appointed 12 to be His Apostles. Then He took them to down to a level place to teach them. While the content is similar to the Sermon on the Mount -Matthew 5-7-, I believe this to be a different message. The one similarity is the need to be in a condition of blessedness, which is a condition of the children of the kingdom, basking in the love of Christ and confident to stand in the day of judgment. This condition requires that one become -perfect- -Matthew 5-48-. This state is not possible through obedience to the moral standards of the law, as taught by the Pharisees. Jesus came to fulfill the law so that He might redeem His people and enable them to have this state of blessedness.
Jesus was about halfway through His brief 3 1-2-year ministry and was entering a new phase. The new phase was the training the twelve who would succeed Him in His mission following His death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father's right hand. As Luke notes, Jesus had many disciples -followers- and out of them, He appointed 12 to be Apostles. The text of this message examines their appointment after His all-night prayer meeting with the Father. He then came down from the mountain and began their initial training -vv. 20-26-. This message touches on the first part--blessings and woes.
Luke records the growing tension between the Jewish elders and Jesus. They both had expectations of the kingdom of God and the Messiah who would rule it. However, both had very different notions about how and when that kingdom would appear.-Luke 6 narrows the controversy to one of the main institutions of Judaism--the Sabbath. Here Luke records two incidents that demonstrate Jesus was truly the -Lord of the Sabbath.-
The call of Levi-Matthew is covered by Luke in one brief sentence. While nothing is recorded of any previous contact with Levi, the brevity of this encounter would suggest otherwise. The purpose of this contact is to set the scenario for the interaction and conflict between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees. The opposition continued to build, as Luke observes, and will result in Jesus' death on the cross. -As noted with the incidents preceding the text of this message, the contrast also focuses on what it looks like to follow Jesus, which He will address in Luke 14-33. To follow Jesus, one must renounce all he previously held dear. Peter, James, and John left all to follow Him. Now we read that Levi, -leaving everything, rose and followed Him.- Sadly, many modern -believers' want Jesus to save them, but they prefer to live unto themselves. You can't have both.
Luke 5 opens with the author's outline of 3 incidences in the early ministry of Jesus. Each of the occasions highlight someone who humbly submits to God's will in faith and Jesus compassionately and mercifully responds with supernatural provision. The first opens with -on one occasion- -vv. 1-11- and reveals Peter's awakening as to who Jesus really was. The second opens with -in one of the cities- and focuses on the healing of a man in the final stages of leprosy -vv. 12-16-. The third opens with -on one of those days- and features the healing of a paralytic -vv. 17-26-. However, the main focus of Luke is on the Jewish religious leaders who witness the miracles and react with unbelief and rejection.
The great -faith- chapter -Hebrews 11- is but part of a larger argument that all the OT righteous remnant -true believers, many of whom are referenced in Heb. 11- endured all kinds of situations because they were promised a better and heavenly country. Thus, NT saints must also endure hardship because when Jesus returns, both OT and NT saints will be made perfect together -Heb. 11-39, 40-.
Jesus taught the people of Capernaum at the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Due to the size of the crowd that pressed Him to hear the Word of God, and knowing the amplifying quality of water, Jesus borrowed Peter's boat to put out a little. This was the third time that Peter heard Jesus call Him to follow Him. On this occasion, Jesus humbles Peter and reveals the requirements for submission. The results of this encounter are that Peter, James, and John everything and followed Him. Jesus was now ready to appoint them as His apostles -6-12ff-.
After being rejected by the people of Nazareth, Jesus moved his mother and his siblings to Capernaum, about 20 miles to the north and on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. As He did in Nazareth, Jesus went to the synagogue to teach. In the text before us, we find an attender who was possessed of an unclean spirit--a demon. This evil spirit mocked Him but also showed fear of Him. He knew who Jesus was and that the day was coming when Jesus would judge and punish him. Jesus told the demon to be silent and come out of the man. Those who witnessed this in the synagogue were amazed. Now they sought Him out, but for the wrong reasons--what He could do for them. They didn't seek Him for who He was and for His salvation, which is what they really needed.
Jesus returned to Nazareth of Galilee, His hometown, and attended the synagogue service. He volunteered to read the Scripture and was handed the scroll of Isaiah, probably at His request. He found the place He wanted and read -61, 1, 2- closing at after the phrase, -the year of the Lord's favor.- Returning the scroll to the keeper, Jesus proceeded to comment, saying that the prophecy had just been fulfilled in their hearing. The response from the crowd was to question Him, thinking that because He grew up in Nazareth, they thought they knew all about Him. What is also implied in the proverb Jesus gave is that what the Nazarenes heard about what Jesus did in Capernaum, He should do in His hometown so that they might believe Him. Jesus responded giving two examples of how God blessed Gentiles over Israelites, due to their covenant unfaithfulness. Jesus was implying that their rejection of Him was portending the wrath of God that was come on -the day of the Lord's vengeance- -Isa. 61-2b-. Jesus came to introduce the new covenant Kingdom of God that would include the Gentiles.
In this message, we discuss the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus was tempted the entire 40 days, but only 3 temptations are recorded by both Matthew and Luke. The order of the temptations is different, probably owing the purpose the evangelists. This confrontation with Satan was necessary to establish Jesus and the second Adam. He was victorious over the devil, earning Him the right to pursue the establishment of the Kingdom of God. -Satan sought to get Jesus to act independently of God by doing something for Himself. Jesus responded with the Word of God, showing that everything in life must be governed by Word and will of God.
Although many readers of the Gospels regard John as merely incidental to Jesus, Luke place considerable space and emphasis on his preparations for introducing Jesus. In the text before us, Luke shows that John fulfills the expectation of Elijah returning to Israel. Like Elijah, John kept to the wilderness near the Jordan to preach repentance to the nation, which was about to experience the wrath of God. John's message to Israel is that they should prepare themselves for Jesus, who would introduce the new covenant, baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire -salvation and judgment-.
Luke records some of Christ's boyhood, which is unique to his Gospel. In the text before us, Jesus is 12 years of age and accompanied His parents to Jerusalem to observe the Passover and Feast of Weeks. The purpose of this event is to demonstrate that Jesus understood His unique relationship to God, His Father. He needed to correct His mother's understanding of their relationship. When they did not find Jesus on their return trip, they came back to Jerusalem to search for Him, but after three days were surprised to find Him in the Temple. He needed to inform her that that is where they should have sought Him first. His priority in life was the Heavenly Father and His business. What is your priority-- Is the Father's house merely incidental to you or is it your priority as well--
The parents of the infant Jesus presented Jesus in the temple to redeem Him, because He was Mary's firstborn Son. This occurred about 40 days after His birth. Eight days after He was born, He was circumcised according to the Law. These two requirements of the Law fully identified Jesus with the old covenant. He fulfilled God's requirements in order for Him to become the righteousness of God for all His people.-During the presentation, two saints of God representing the righteous remnant demonstrate the grace of God that He had prepared for His people in Christ's coming.
In this message, we take a deeper look into the announcement made by the angel to the shepherds in the Judean hills on the night of Jesus' birth. His good news would produce great joy to all the people-God was fulfilling His promises made to His people in the OT, but not to Israel only, but now to all in whom God would save through the work of the Savior. The angelic announcement was accompanied by an angelic choir rejoicing in glory to God coming to the unseen realm above and peace with God to the people of earth -Colossians 1-19, 20-. This two-fold blessing was here because of God's good pleasure -grace- toward men, taking them out of sin and iniquity to be His own children. That is clearly good news.
Luke introduces the life of Jesus with information that is unique to his Gospel alone. This material reveals the expectation of Israel's Messiah and how this expectation led to serious misunderstanding in religious community at Jerusalem. Jesus' coming indicated that God was visiting His true people -illustrated by the poor and outcast- in order to redeem them. The high King of Heaven was born in the lowliest estate, but He was destined to rule the world as testified to in Zechariah's prophecy -Luke 1-67-79- Isaiah 9-6-. After 400 years of the silence of heaven, God was speaking again.
Zechariah was a model of God's grace. At first, when informed by the angel, Gabriel, that God was giving them a son in their old age, the priest responded just as his forefathers did in Malachi--with doubt and unbelief. In their case, the Lord pronounced judgment on them -Malachi 4-2-6-. But in Zechariah's case, He showed mercy. Indeed, Zechariah prophesied a glorious message from God identifying the people of God in the gospel age and the purpose of his new-born son in bringing in the Christ of God and -the sun of righteousness, the light giving knowledge of salvation -the gospel- to a sin-darkened world.
Upon learning that she was to give birth to the Savior, Mary travelled to a town in the Judean hills to visit her relative, Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant with Jesus' forerunner, John the Baptist. Elizabeth jubilantly rejoiced at seeing Mary and cried out, -Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me--- -Luke 1-43-. Elizabeth blessed Mary, but Mary responded with a psalm-song of praise to God -vv. 46-55-. What Mary wanted Elizabeth and us to learn is that it was not about her. She was simply a part of God's larger plan to bring the Kingdom of God into the world. Sadly, many want to exalt Mary, but she would not have it so. Her soul magnified the Lord. Modern evangelicalism often makes the mistake of putting the convert on a pedestal as if the gospel makes the convert the center of God's plan and purpose. Again, it is not about us. It is all about Him. To God be the glory.
Luke shifts back and forth between John the Baptist and Jesus in three areas, -1- the announcement by Gabriel of their coming births, -2- their being born, and -3- their introduction to Israel to announce and minister the Kingdom of God. These alternations come together in convergence in order to show their respective roles in the one grand purpose of God to introduce His Kingdom on earth via the New Covenant. John was the final OT prophet whom God used to introduce the long-expected Messiah who would introduce the New Covenant providing the power to live out the will of God on earth.
Luke's is the only Gospel to give us details of John the Baptist's birth. He opens with the historical setting- -In the days Herod, King of Judea- -1-5-. This period of history ends the four hundred silent years between the close of the Old Testament with Malachi and the opening of the New Testament era with Gabriel announcing the birth of the forerunner of Messiah, John. He was the Elijah promised at close of Malachi. His father, Zechariah, was a godly and faithful priest, serving at the altar of incense when God sent His angel to tell the old priest that his prayers were heard and that wife, Elizabeth, would bear him a son. This announcement was accompanied by some great promises and a clear reference to Malachi's closing words. Sadly, Zechariah did not believe him.
This message introduces a new series on the Gospel of Luke. The first four verses introduce the book. Although the author does not self-identify, tradition assigns the book to Luke, who also wrote the Acts of the Apostles. Luke was a Gentile who came to Christ probably through the preaching of Christians scattered by the persecution of Steven -Acts 7-. These Christan went as far as Antioch of Syria, Lukes home. There are a number of internal proofs that demonstrate Lukes' being a Gentile. He was also a companion to Paul, even in Rome prior to Paul's execution -2 Timothy 4-11-. -Luke has the most complete account of Jesus' pre-ministry background. Luke also stresses Jesus' introduction of the Kingdom of God. There are 46 direct references to the Kingdom in Lukes' Gospel. Luke only has Jesus' saying, -Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom- -12-32-.
Paul concluded his letter to the Corinthians by doubling down on the fact that the church, by listening to the false apostles, were acting against the authority of Christ. In opposing Paul, they were opposing God. The Lord would correct the situation because He had many people in that city, as He assured Paul in Acts 18. Paul warned them and instructed them to examine themselves -13-5-. Was Christ truly residing in them by His Spirit-- If so they would respond to Paul properly, since he was working on their behalf. Their restoration was his prayer and goal. Being like Corinth, so worldly minded and divided, many modern churches today need this spirit.
Paul's rivals gloried in the things that made them look better and more important in order to impress those around them. Paul, instead, gloried in the things that made him look weak in the flesh so that the power of God would rest on him, and that God alone would get the glory for what was accomplished through him.-In the passage before us, Paul used two opposing experiences to demonstrate his point. The first at the beginning of his ministry in which he was let down, literally and psychologically, and the second when he was taken into the very throne room of God.
Paul asserted a right to boast because everything the false -super apostles- contended to prove their superiority over Paul was something Paul himself could prove true of his own apostleship. In fact, Paul was better. He did not boast in order to promote his own ego but in order to provoke the thinking of the church he had espoused to Christ. They were in danger of deserting the true Bridegroom for a false Christ. His opponents were servants of Satan, deceiving the church. Paul sought to win them back to the truth and the Truth.
Paul defended his apostleship against the attack of the false apostles, Judaizers, who sought control of the church in Corinth. In order to take full control, they had to get Paul out of the picture. Thus, Paul uses a counterattack, not for a carnal defense of his image, but because, as a servant of Christ, he sought to preserve the church. He did so out of love for the Corinthian believers.
In the passage before us -2 Corinthians 11-1-6-, Paul uses the figure of marriage betrothal to demonstrate his concern for the church. He also used the foolishness of bragging, since the false teachers used that method and the church seemed to approve of it. Nevertheless, Paul expressed his concern for the church because God had used him as a friend to arrange the marriage of His Son to the church. Since it was the father's responsibility to ensure that the bride remained morally pure before the marriage, Paul expressed his desire to present the church to Jesus as a pure virgin.-Paul's fear was that as Adam's bride, Eve, fell under the spell of the tempter, so the Corinthian church would fall to the temptation of another gospel.
Paul charged the Corinthians, -Look at what is before your eyes- -v. 7-. Consider the spiritual evidence that is clearly present. If the false teachers claimed to be Christ's, Paul claimed the same. They used boasting to demonstrate their superiority- therefore, Paul determined that he, too, would use the same. The motivation for this foolishness, Paul asserted, was the spiritual welfare of the Corinthian church, not his personal vindication. Although he found it necessary to use this approach, he remained confident that the testimony of Christ was confirmed among them and that God's faithfulness would sustain them to the end.
The last four chapters of 2 Corinthians are devoted to the defense of Paul's apostleship. In the first verse of the 10th chapter, Paul expresses his concern that though he was hard on them, the outcome was good, for the church repented of their errors. However, the battle was not over because false teachers had infiltrated the church due to its failure to be vigilant. Appearances seem to have influenced many as Paul's critics pointed to Paul's personal appearance compared to the false teachers'. Paul responded that we are in a spiritual war, and the weapons used in that war are not of flesh or appearance but, rather, are mighty through God. The evidence of progress in that war is that every thought is taken captive to the obedience of Christ.
Paul dealt with the second major concern for the Corinthian church, their fulfillment of a promise to give to the needy saints in Judea. They made the promise a year before but had not fulfilled it. Paul uses the occasion to demonstrate that giving is a grace and proof of one's love for Christ. Christian love is demonstrated in the sincere and sacrificial service rendered to those in need.
Habakkuk could not understand how a holy God could tolerate a wicked nation's subjection of His people. God's answer to the prophet was that He was doing a work in their days that one could hardly believe if they fully understood. God often uses evil people to bring about holiness in His own people for His glory. We must understand that that is exactly what He is doing in our days as well.
Paul addresses the second purpose of his letter in a lengthy portion -chapters 8 and 9-. The Corinthian church responded rightly at his rebuke of their failure to live by righteous principles. This failure had also led to their neglect to follow through on their promise to contribute to the need of the saints in Judea, suffering great persecution and also a devastating famine. The passage before us examines the grace of giving, a truth much needed in the churches today.
Paul used the occasion of his rejoicing over the good news relayed to him by Titus concerning the positive response of the Corinthian church to Paul's hard letter -1 Corinthians- to teach about true repentance. Genuine gospel repentance is as necessary to salvation as is faith. Indeed, they are like two sides of the same coin. Sadly, many neglect repentance as unnecessary to the Christian life. The truth is that believers are continual repenters. Believers will continue to repent until Jesus transforms them to inhabit their resurrected bodies to live sinless forever.
I was confronted with a verse to guide believers in living in this very dark and evil age- -Rejoice in hope, be patent in tribulation, be constant in prayer- -Romans 12-12, ESV-. Hope refers to the promises God has given that are not yet realized. This hope enables us to endure patiently the tribulation and trials we face in this present age. The rejoicing and the enduring are sustained by vigilant prayer.
The Book of Acts details how the early church was established in the world by the Holy Spirit. Although the believers faced great opposition, the Spirit enabled them to preach boldly the truth of the gospel. Using very weak people, God did a glorious work. Let us see His power in us today for His glory.
In the last message, Paul advanced God's plan to reconcile the world to Himself in the new creation. In this message, Paul charges the Corinthian church to separate themselves from the false teachers because they are the temple of God. God dwells among them, and He is holy- there they are to cleanse themselves from all impurity and perfect holiness in the fear of God. This is the duty of God's people as they seek to be ambassadors, sharing God's message in this wicked world.
Paul argued God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. The reconciliation that he addressed was the restoration of the created order to its pre-fall condition, what is set forth in Scripture as the new heavens and the new earth. The restoration involved Jesus coming to earth as the last man and second Adam, redeeming a people from every corner of the earth, transforming them into a new creation.
Paul's motive of ministry was to glorify God by doing His will and advancing the kingdom. The fear of God drove this desire, not a terror of God, but a loving desire not to offend or miss His purpose for Paul, which would fail to fulfill His purpose. This purpose was God's reconciling all things to Himself in restoring and reclaiming all to His honor and glory as at the beginning of all things.
Paul asserted that in spite of all his trials and tribulations, he did not lose heart. This declaration is found twice in the text, serving as -bookends- of his explanation as to why he did not lose heart. First, Paul understood that we can walk by faith, knowing that God is preparing us for our ultimate restoration at His return. Second, he addressed our present desire to be all we ought to be as we wait our transformation. Third, he advanced out present hope as the foundation of our courage to press on. We are to make our aim to please Him, knowing that we must all appear before His judgment seat.
Second Corinthians 4 explains why Paul suffered in the proclamation of the gospel. God alone was to receive the glory for all the success that the gospel produced in those who heard it. In fact, Paul used the creation motif to demonstrate the fact that as God spoke light into the creation at the beginning, He spoke the light of the gospel into the hearts of sinners. The preacher may proclaim the message, but only God can save the sinner.
Spiritual leaders must understand that they are accountable to Christ, who is the Lord of faith. This accountability involves their care for Christ's sheep. Thus, they are to look after them, not for personal gain, but as examples. This requires them to rebuke error and evil. To this, Paul asks, -Who is sufficient for these things--- His answer to this question involves his understanding that we triumph in Christ, having been conquered by Him so that we may be the sweet odor of Christ in this world.
Although apostles had great authority from God, Paul chose to appeal to the Corinthians to receive him on the basis of his personal integrity. He was not interested in using them for his personal advantage, but rather to help them to attain fulness of joy in their faith. This is how Christian ministry is to function.
We will suffer tribulations as long as we are in the world. Paul writes to believers who live in a very wicked environment, such as we live in today. We will suffer, but God has promised to keep and comfort us in all our trials.
This is a sermon by Octavius Winslow from his book, Emmanuel, the Titles of Christ on Monergism.com. I have rewritten some of the material and shaped into a sermon preached on Christmas morning. I trust it will be a blessing to you.
The central theme of Isaiah is the Lord's comforting Zion. The comfort would be in the work of the Lord's Servant, the true servant replacing the national servant that failed Yahweh. This servant would employ and unconventional method and would be successful in fulfilling God's sovereign purpose. This is why we celebrate Christmas and why we are looking forward to the Lord's return to be glorified among His people.
Jesus graciously met the disciples on the shore of the sea of Galilee. There He reaffirmed their call to simply -Follow Me.- Jesus singled out Peter after breakfast as He had Thomas in the second appearance in Jerusalem. The message is simple but forms the very core of the Christan walk. Do we love Jesus-- If so, how do we give evidence of that love-- Jesus makes it clear to loving Him involves caring for His sheep. It is in this way that we follow Jesus.
John uses considerable symbolism in the third appearance of the risen Lord recorded in his Gospel. The theme of the epilogue is how Jesus will relate to His followers after He returns to the Father. In contrast to the first miraculous catch -Luke 5-1-11- with this last miraculous catch is that in the first, Jesus was with them in the boat, but in the last, He was on the shore.
Jesus stopped Mary Magdalene from clutching His feet in her jubilant worship as she discovered that He was risen from the death. He first needed to return to the Father and sprinkle His blood on the Mercy Seat in Heaven. In the meantime, Mary was to inform the disciples of His resurrection. She accomplished this task but was met with disbelief. That evening, Jesus Himself came into the lock room where the disciples were hiding out of fear of the Jews. He greeted them with -peace be to you,- and showed them his wounds. Their reaction was great joy. Eight days later, He appeared to them again, this time to restore the faith of Thomas, absent from the first appearing. The focus of John in these appearances was to provoke faith in the reader as stated in verses 30 and 31. Do you believe in and trust the risen Lord for your salvation, even though you have not seen Him-- If you do not trust Him now, be warned, for the day is coming when every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess the Jesus is Lord. Those who will not bow now, will then.
Jesus rose from the grave three days after He was laid in a garden tomb. No one witnessed the actual resurrection, but the resurrected Lord appeared to His followers in a life transforming encounter. Indeed, the resurrection is at the very core of the gospel. No one will be saved who does not believe the Jesus rose bodily from the dead. In this message, we note how John focused on Mary Magdalene, who was the first to see the risen Lord.
In this message from John 19, we note that Jesus laid down His life. His life was not taken from Him, but after He suffered the wrath of God for His people in the six hours He suffered on the cross, He bowed His head and surrendered His life. -In every detail of His suffering on the cross, He was fully in control. His bones were not broken to fulfill Scripture, but His side was pierced to fulfill Scripture. Even the timing of His death and the necessity of His being buried before evening were accomplished in spite of every reason against it. His death accomplished the purpose of God to save His people. Jesus did not die to make sinners savable- He saved them in death. He died that His own might live. Are you among those who now possess eternal life--
Paul argues that God used the foolishness of man to bring salvation to His own. If the rulers of this world understood what would result from their crucifixion of the Lord of Glory, they would never have allowed it. What they hoped to accomplish, the ridding the world of Jesus, backfired on them. Jesus played the Jews against the Romans and controlled every detail of His crucifixion, even to what became of His garments to fulfill OT prophecy. Second century Christians rallied on Psalm 96-10, using the Septuagint which contains a gloss, thus reading, -Say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns from the tree.'- Indeed-
The trial of Jesus revealed the political tensions between the Jews and the Romans who occupied Judah. Although the Jews desired to put Jesus to death, they were prevented by the Romans from doing so. This was in the sovereign plan of God to sacrifice His Son on a tree-a cross. Pilate, being a fair judge, could find no valid charge against Jesus to condemn Him. The political play in this event strongly argues for God's sovereignty in the whole affair. Pilate gave into the Jews for political expediency. This should be comfort for God's people in these days of political turbulence. Jesus reigns from the tree-
Jesus was arrested, tried, falsely accused, and condemned by the religious and political authorities of His day, both Jew and Gentile. He refused to defend Himself, but freely confessed the He was the Messiah prophesied about in the OT and expected by the nation of Israel. The problem was that the kingdom they expected was a physical kingdom, which was evident by their political opposition. Peter also exposed his false understanding of the nature of the kingdom when he drew his sword and attacked the servant of the high priest. -Sadly, things have not changed in the centuries that have passed. Satan's dark kingdom seeks to overthrow God kingdom of light. He uses the kingdoms of this world to oppose God- and that means His followers on earth, the church of the living God. Jesus made in clear. If the world hates us, it is because they hated Him first.
In the hour of Jesus toward which His entire life was directed. John records that Jesus deliberately walked into the trap to arrested by the Jewish authorities because of the betrayal of Judas. This message contrasts two disciples present at that occasion-Judas and Peter. Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial were both predicted by Jesus. The consequence of their actions was very different. Judas hanged himself and entered eternal destruction of hell. Peter repented and was sought out and restored to God's will. The fairness of this is discussed in the message.
Jesus deliberately walked into the trap Satan set for Him to put Him into the hands of the Jews. In order for Jesus to become the Savior of the world -all, both Jew and Gentile believers-, He must be rejected, condemned, and crucified. In this submission and sacrifice, He disarmed rulers and authorities and put them to open shame -Colossians 2-15-.
In Psalm 2, God made it clear that His Son was enthroned on Zion. Psalm 110-1 -the most quoted psalm text in the NT- has Jesus seated at the Father's right hand as His enemies are subjected to Him. Paul describes this in 1 Cor. 15-25, 26. Jesus is presently reigning- however, this rule was given Him as the reward of His suffering. John 18 and 19 record the plot against the king. Jesus was betrayed by Judas to the wicked and hateful Jews, who turned Him over to the politically expedient Roman Procurator, Pilate to be crucified. The principle seen here is that the light of liberty comes only after the darkness. For Christ, it came three days after He entered the tomb. But now He rules at the Father's right hand.
Hosea's marriage to Gomer was used of God to illustrate His plan and purpose to redeem a wicked and sinful people to Himself, sanctifying them in holiness and enabling them to listen and obey all that He commands. Israel under the old covenant was a type and shadow of the bride of Christ, the church of the gospel age. The church does not replace Israel, the church fulfills Israel.
Hosea was a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel in a very dark time of her apostasy and rebellion against God. God commanded the prophet to marry a cult prostitute as an object representing God's issue with Israel. Three children were born and named to send a message to the people. Hosea's domestic life was both repulsive to his inclinations and an overwhelming sorrow in the experience. However, Hosea's redemption of his fallen wife graphically illustrates the heart and holiness of God in redeeming His bride unto Himself.
As High Priest, Jesus prayed for Himself that God would give Him the glory He had with Him before He came to earth. Then He prayed for the disciples to whom He had given God's Word or instruction. Last, He prayed for the church, those who would believe on Jesus through the word of the disciples. The main focus of the prayer is their unity in the Father and the Son. This message focuses on the nature, the glory, and the future of that unity. Do you experience this truth in your walk--
Jesus' prayer in John 17 contains but one petition---Glorify your Son.- The reason for this petition is that the Father may be glorified in the Son. This petition is then more fully developed by the fact that Jesus gave eternal life to those to whom the Father entrusted Him. These will be left on earth when Jesus returns to the Father. Thus, Jesus desire that He will be glorified in them -v. 10-. Does your life glorify Christ--
Jesus prayed that God glorify Him, the Son -John 17-1-. We, as believers, must also pray the Lord's petition. -Glorify Your children in order that Your children may glory You,- which means -grant grace and power to enable them to do Your will so that Your Kingdom comes to them, and Your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.- Believers are kept, not by self-effort or resolve, but in His name -in the character of Him whose stead-fast love and faithfulness to His own is established by covenant promises-. The believer's security rests in the transaction of Christ with His Father, not our efforts. Christ keeps them because of His faithful obedience to His Father's purpose. What comfort this provides to His own.
Jesus wanted His disciples to hear this prayer before He entered Gethsemane. This prayer focuses on the disciples, whereas Gethsemane focuses on Christ, Himself. The prayer, in effect, summarizes the instruction He has given since the upper room and the supper earlier in the evening. His main thrust in prayer is to assure the disciples and those who will become believers through them, that God is in full control and that Jesus has won the battle, evidenced in His resurrection. Believers are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
In the final verses of Chapter 16 of John's Gospel, Jesus rebuked the disciples for pretending they understood His -obscure utterances.- As Don Carson put it, -No misunderstanding is more pathetic than that which thinks it no longer exists.- Our comprehension of spiritual things requires a spiritual discernment, which can only come as the Spirit of God renews the heart and teaches the mind -1 Corinthians 2-10-16-. That is why few professing Christians get anything out of the Bible. However, those who, enabled by the Holy Spirit, make Scripture their great interest find the truth and the great peace that comes even in tribulation. They are overcomers.
Jesus closed His final discourse with the disciples by telling them that soon He would no longer need to speak to them in what they perceived to be unintelligible speech -obscure utterances-. In that day, they would know to ask the Father for what they needed directly. They also needed to understand that the Father's love for them was conditioned on their obedience to Him.
The greatest desire of all people is to be happy. God wants His people to know the fullness of joy, but He conditions that joy on His being glorified. In other words, God glory and our joy are joined in the will of God. Jesus linked these two things in the duty of prayer -John 16-24-. This message explains how believers can have joy as God in being glorified, even in the midst of great trial and persecution.
Jesus explained that as He had faced the hatred of the world, so would His followers. He gave them information to keep them from falling away when the persecution came. However, He would not leave them alone to face this trial. He would send them the Holy Spirit who would take His place. He would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This message explains what this means and why this exposure would bring the hatred of the world against Christ's followers.
In this section of John 15, Jesus instructs the disciples that the world will hate and persecute them because they belong to Jesus. They hated Jesus because He exposed their sin of rebellion against the true God. They hated the Father and the hated the Son. They would hate His followers as well.-Jesus was preparing them to keep them from falling away when the persecution came. They would desert Him that very night but when the Spirit came to take Christ's place, they would return, be strengthen, and preach His gospel to the world.
We all have times of difficulty and suffering. Sometimes we are the cause of our problems. For believers, often the trials are designed for our growth and good. We must learn to measure our days and understand the brevity of our lives in order to seek God and hope in Him.
We are living in very troubling times. This is nothing new, as Jesus clearly instructed the disciples in Matthew 24 and as Paul informed Timothy in 2 Timothy 3-1-5. Although we may be tempted to fear these disconcerting times, we must be assured that Jesus has already gotten the victory and that He now reigns at the Father's right hand. Psalm 2 gives us great assurance.
This message is actually a focus on John 16-1- -I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.- Disappointments arise when expectations are not realized. Professed Christians have abandoned the faith over unrealized expectations. Jeremiah struggled with his call due to the awful treatment he received, even from close friends. Thus, he laments in Jeremiah 20. The principal that all believers must embrace is to walk by faith and not by sight. Indeed, Jeremiah, by faith declared, -The Lord is my Portion- -Lamentations 3-24-.
John 15, the vine discourse, contains three parts. Verses 1-8 is the metaphor. Jesus is the true vine, and His followers are the branches that bear fruit as they remain in the vine. Verses 9-16 explain the metaphor and what it means for the branches to abide in the vine. The third part, verses 17-chapter 16, verse 4, warn Christ's followers that their association with Him will bring upon them the hatred of the world. Jesus clearly taught that Christians will be persecuted. Why, then, do so many professed followers of Jesus want to be comfortable in the world-- John warned, -Love not the world- -1 John 2-15-. Paul warned, -Do not be conformed to the world -Romans 12-2-.
In this second section of Jesus' discourse on the vine, He makes some very startling claims. First, He declares that the perfect and complete love that the Father has for Him is the same love that He has for His own. Second, He commands that His followers abide in that love and that, in so doing, they lay down their lives for the brethren. To encourage this obedience, Jesus informs the disciples that it is He who has chosen them and appointed them to bear fruit that remains. How many modern Christians could characterize themselves by this standard-- This calls for self-examination and earnest prayer.
In this second part of Jesus' farewell address to His disciples, He presents Himself under the metaphor of a vine, the true vine. This portion is to assure the disciples that they, as branches in the vine, are to be fruitful due to their position and the father's work of disciple unto holiness. True Christians are those who remain -abide or continue- in the vine. This is the condition of their fruitfulness, which, in turn, glorifies God. All professing Christians need to examine themselves in light of this passage.
Jesus closed His upper room discourse with a glorious promise- -Peace I leave with you- my peace I give to you. . . . Let not you hearts be troubled- -John 14-27-. The peace that Jesus bequeathed to His own is not inward tranquility, but the realization that the sinners' long-standing enmity with God is resolved by Jesus' suffering God's wrath in their place. Of course, the result is inward tranquility. Do you know and possess His peace--
God provides for all our needs in both a timely and abundant way as the feeding of the 5000 demonstrates. This recorded miracle is found in all four Gospels and should encourage all believers that God is able to meet every need. He is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides.
Jesus responded to two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus. He rebuked them for not understanding all that the Old Testament Scriptures revealed about what God was doing and what the current events demonstrated about God's plan.
Jesus promised the disciples in leaving them, -I will not leave you orphans.- Were these just words of comfort-- No, Jesus was letting them know that they were entering the new age of the Spirit. He was coming to them in the person of the Holy Spirit and by this means, He would be with them throughout this gospel age.
Jesus argued that His leaving the disciples was necessary for the greater work of God to be fulfilled. His leaving them included His going to the cross, His resurrection, and His exaltation to the right hand of the Father. In the meantime, the disciples would continue the work He began, indeed, greater works would they accomplish. This was possible because, in the absence of Jesus, the Holy Spirit would indwell His people. We are building the kingdom of God and when the work is done, Jesus will return to rule in a new heavens and a new earth.
In this modern world, claims of exclusivity are frowned on and rejected. That is why Jesus is hated. He claimed to be the only way to God and heaven. This message examines that claim found in John 14-6. Indeed, Jesus does not simply point the way to God, to truth, and to life. He IS that way, that truth, and that life. Do you know Him--
Jesus, facing His darkest hour, did not seek comfort and assurance for Himself but turned His attention to the troubled hearts of His disciples. His remedy for them was that they should trust both God, the Father and Himself. Here is another proof of His deity, for He was asking for the same faith that was due to God. The reason for their trust was that He was going to prepare a place for them and then He would return to receive them and take them to their new home. We are living in very trying and uncertain times. Do you trust in Jesus-- The evidence of one's trust in troubled times is the joy of the Lord.
Jesus gave this portion of the Good Shepherd discourse at the Feast of Dedication, celebrated when the Jews rededicated the temple in 164 bc. This feast excited the people with Messianic expectations. Thus, the Jews asked Jesus to prove He was the Messiah -10-22-. Jesus' response to them was to tell them that He had already told them, but they did not believe. They did not believe because they were not His sheep nor of His fold.
The first 19 verses of John 10 actually finish the rebuke Jesus gave to the Pharisees in John 9-40, -Are we blind also-- Jesus healed the man born blind and when the neighbors saw it, there some dispute as to his identity. However, their main concern was the fact that Jesus healed him on a Sabbath day. The brought him to the Pharisees who questioned him and after a grueling interrogation, excommunicated him from the synagogue, demonstrating that they were terrible shepherds of God's flock. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, found him, saved him, and brought into His fold.
Elijah, after a glorious victory against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, fled to Mount Sinai to escape the wicked queen, Jezebel. It was a time of self-pity and personal defeat. The problem was that Elijah did not understand the issue. It was not about Elijah, but the will and purpose of God. Elijah was God's servant who was not privy to all God was doing in his war against Ahab and Jezebel. Here is a lesson that all followers of Christ must understand. When we fall into self-pity and despair, we need to hear Him say to us, -What are you doing here--
Psalm 90 was written by Moses most likely when the forty-year wilderness wandering was ending, and the nation was again poised to take possession of the Promised Land. The Psalm is a prayer based on two arguments- the supreme greatness of the eternal sovereign Lord and the frail and weak condition of His sinful creature, man. The Psalm pleads for divine pity and protection that His people may accomplish the will of God. Such a prayer is certainly suited to the new year facing the human race.
Mary's Magnificat -Song of Praise- is her response to Elizabeth's greeting. It is a psalm patterned after the response of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2 after the Lord answered her prayer for a son. In that song, Hannah expected a king who would be the Lord's anointed. Mary recognizes that the child in her womb is that anointed King. Her soul magnifies the Lord who blessed her with this privilege. Mary was not sinless but yielded to the will of God.
We back tracked to chapter one in John to select verse 14 for our Christmas message. The creator, Word of God, was incarnate into the very creation He made to become the Savior of sinners. In this coming, He revealed the very glory of God to human eyes-a wonder of wonders-
John 9 continues the conflict that the Jewish leaders had with Jesus. Again, Jesus provokes this controversy by healing a man born blind. This miracle was also a sign, a work of God to bring glory to His great Name. In the miracle, Jesus proved His claim to be the Light of the world -8-12-. It illustrates the fact that all are born blind spiritually. Jesus came that the spiritually blind might see and have their sins forgiven.
God promised Abraham that through him all the nations of the world would be blessed. Jesus, and all in Him, constitute the offspring promised to Abraham. In the text of this message, Jesus confronts the people and clarifies what it means to be Abraham's children, laying out that they were not. If they were, they would do what Abraham did. Instead, they were doing the will of their true father, the devil.
The mark of true believers is their abiding in His Word. The glorious consequence of that abiding is freedom--freedom from sin and self.
This message details the first of two great declarations that Jesus made during the last day, the Great Day, of the Feast of Booths.
John 7-53-8-11 was originally not part of the Gospel of John but generally regarded as having been added sometime in the Middle Ages. The inclusion of the story, however, presents a problem, the validity of the Bible. If it doesn't belong here, is the Bible we hold accurate, and can it be trusted- God has preserved His Word in our present translations. The issue of inerrancy and preservation is often debated. So, let the Scriptures speak for themselves.
This special message from Psalm 37 reminds us that we are not to become angry and full of rage when the enemy comes against us. We have a sovereign Lord who in control of all our circumstances. Rather, we are to be meek, that is, submissive to His sovereign control, keeping our rage in check by His Spirit in grace. This admonition is greatly needed as we live out our Christianity in these difficult days.
The Feast of Tabernacles ended with an added eighth day, a solemn Sabbath on which two ceremonies were performed with singing and rejoicing. The first rite was a water-poring ceremony in which water was taken from the pool of Siloam and carried to the temple and poured out before the Lord. The second ceremony was the lighting of lamps in the court of the women.- The Passage of our message today directs our attention to the first ceremony and shows the failure of the people to truly comprehend the spiritual significance these rites were to show.
The 7th and 8th chapters of John focus on the crisis of the Person of Jesus. Is He the Messiah or not. Jesus does not seek to win them over as His brothers suggested. Rather Jesus provokes them to reject Him. They do try to arrest Him, but He proves that He is sovereignly in control of the situation. He will surrender to their will when His hour arrives and the will of the Father is accomplished.
John 7 and 8 contain no new miracle. The purpose of John in these chapters is to show Christ at the crisis of His ministry. He has already been judged by the leadership in Jerusalem as a false teacher who needs to be eliminated. The people of Galilee and the people of Judea need to also be provoked into rejecting Him. This chapter -7- shows that Jesus came to promote His heavenly Father. Thus questions are asked and answered concerning His person.
Peter encourages the persecuted church in his first epistle. Chapter 4 specifically addresses suffering as a Christian. The term -Christian- was a derogatory and pejorative term in Peter's day. It is returning to that condition today. We need to prepare to suffer in that way again.
The great question of the text is how can those who follow Christ be offended at the words of Christ- The aim of John is to demonstrate that those who cannot comprehend or fully follow Christ, do so because they are not true disciples. They follow Christ for what they expect He will do for them. True disciples follow Christ because He is Lord and Savior. They want Christ-
The multitude the were feed miraculously come to the conclusion that Jesus was the Prophet promised by Moses -Deuteronomy 18-18-. They wanted to make Him king so that He, like Moses, would feed them and care for their every need. Thus, they went to Capernaum to find. Jesus confronted them with the fact that their carnal interests were out of line with God's plan. This is one of the clearest passages that lay out the sovereignty of God in the matter of salvation.
Two miracles are recorded back to back- the feeding of the 5000 and Jesus' walking on water. Both miracles were used to teach and correct the disciples. The Lord sent the disciples away because their lack of understanding of the Lord's mission would have lead them to cooperate the the crowd intent on making Him king. Jesus placed them in an impossible situation to reveal His glorious Person to them. He does the same for us.
The sixth chapter of John finds Jesus back in Galilee. He journeyed from Capernaum to the region on the east side of the sea of Galilee to teach His disciples. A large crowd of people followed Him because they saw the miracles He did. This crowd, however, was similar to those in Judea in the 2nd chapter who believed in Him because they saw the signs. Jesus used the occasion to test the disciples, particularly Philip and Andrew. Jesus was God and nothing is impossible with Him. He was able to provide a satisfying meal to this large crowd and have 12 basketfuls remaining. He did this with 5 barley biscuits and 2 sardines. Like in the exodus from Egypt, Jesus met the needs Israel in the wilderness. Do you believe that He can meet your every need-
Jesus responded to the accusations that He violated the Sabbath and that He made Himself equal with God. In the discourse that followed the healing of the paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus challenged the Jews' failure to understand the OT Scriptures and the promise of His coming as the Son of God. They were passing judgment on Jesus, but Jesus warned them that the day was coming when they would be judged by Him. Everyone must understand that at the end, Jesus will raise all the dead and all will appear before Him to be judged.
John 5-24 is often used as an invitation to sinners to hear and believe in Christ so that they might have eternal life. An examination of the verse will show that those who hear and believe already have eternal life. Their hearing and believing is possible because they have been born from above-resurrected from spiritual death to new life in Christ -v. 25-. Verse 24 is actually a rebuke to the Jewish leaders who are persecuting and condemning Christ. What does it mean, then to hear and believe-
Jesus response to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem who charged Jesus with violating their Sabbath rules and accusing Him of blasphemy for making Himself equal with God answers those charges. There are four powerful arguments to prove that Jesus was indeed, God come in the flesh.
Jesus healed the Paralytic at the pool of Bethesda for the purpose of provoking the ire of the hypocritical Jewish leaders. He healed this man on the Sabbath and when confronted with this supposed violation, Jesus responded that He was merely doing what His Father was doing. Jesus was not subject to their silly rules. He was the Lord of the Sabbath. This message ends with three questions that Christians need to ask regarding the Sabbath.
John contrasts two healings- the healing of the nobleman's son -ending chapter 4- and the healing of a paralytic -opening chapter 5-. One sign points to Messiah, who is received by faith, resulting in salvation. The other sign confronts the hypocritical Pharisees with their draconian Sabbath rules. The man who is healed is not saved, but betrays Jesus to the Jews. The confrontation is addressed in remainder of the chapter. Jesus' Messianic authority is established by this sign at the pool of Bethesda. John used the events addressed to reveal true faith and willful spiritual blindness.
Jesus' disciples returned from the city with food and ask Him to eat. He responded the He had food they knew nothing of. They were focused on the natural. Jesus wanted them to understand the primacy of the spiritual--the will of God and finishing His work. Jesus was enjoying the feast of seeing a sinful woman added to the kingdom. He was about to enjoy a greater feast--seeing many from Sychar of Samaria joining this woman as new kingdom citizens.--Like the disciples, Jesus is enlisting us in the work of kingdom enlargement. We are to take the gospel to the ends of the earth and preach it to every soul. We are His witnesses and are called to join together in completing the task.
Psalm 2, cited in Acts 4-25 and 26, describes the attitude of kings and rulers who, while placed in their positions of authority by God -Daniel 2-21- rebel to overthrow the divine oversight. When those in authority recognize God's sovereign position and submit to His laws and statutes, the governed experience freedom. When those in authority reject Him and His law, tyranny is experienced by the governed. This rebellion however, first focuses on those who fear and follow the sovereign Lord, persecuting them to silence and destroy them. Where does our current administration stand on these principles. As we celebrate another birthday of our great nation, those who submit to Christ as Lord must prepare to suffer for His sake.
The woman at the well in Sychar of Samaria represents the church, a people redeemed from every corner of the world. Jesus sought this woman to redeem her. She came to the well for water, not Jesus, but in the end, she left her water and ran to the village to inform others that she had met the Christ. This woman went from being a sinner to a seeker of souls in a short period of time. This message details Christ's approach and her response.
Jesus began His earthly ministry in Judea. When He heard that the Pharisee knew He was drawing larger crowds than John the Baptist, He departed again for Galilee, seeking to avoid any dissension. However, this was also a providential move, for Christ must pass through Samaria where He will encounter a woman of disrepute. He came to bring her to eternal life as pictured in the living water.
John the Baptist, hearing that his disciples were jealous of Christ's ministry, replied with three stunning details. First, no one can receive anything unless it be given him from above -3-27-. Second, John was only the friend of the Bridegroom, preparing His way -3-29-. His task was joyfully complete. Third, Jesus was from above and, in coming down, revealed truths that no one can receive unless God opens their understanding to the truth -3-32-. John closes the testimony of the Baptist by declaring that -He who is believing -present active- the Son has -already possesses, not 'will get'- eternal life- the one who does not obey the Son, shall not see life, but God wrath remains on him- -3-36-.
John 3-16 has been called the -gospel in a nutshell- and has been the text of countless sermons on God's great love. Sadly, the verse is taken out of its context to support the view that God loves every person in the whole world and that He is longing for every sinner to come to salvation. This message examines this verse and demonstrates that Scripture reveals two worlds in conflict. This verse explains why Jesus must be lifted up as a sacrifice so that believers can have eternal life.
The new birth is essential for a sinner to believe on Christ savingly. The discussion with Nicodemus, the rabbi of Israel, religious but lost, is John's choice to demonstrate Christ's saving work.
Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus demonstrates the need for real faith. Some believe in Jesus, but not savingly. Saving faith requires that one be born again. Believing, itself, does not make one a Christian, but a true child of God has true saving faith. Saving faith is not possible for the natural man because he cannot comprehend spiritual things. How can he trust Jesus to save him- The Bible order is that one must be first born from above by the Spirit of God. One who is then equipped with a new spiritual nature will believe on Jesus. Many evangelicals believe that faith produces regeneration -the new birth-. The Bible teaches that regeneration comes before faith.
The cleansing of the temple by Christ recorded in the second chapter introduces the Lord's promise in Amos to restore the tent of David that was fallen down. This is the second of 5 new things revealed that Jesus is bringing in. Jesus is the true Bridegroom who furnishes the wine of the Spirit, replacing the ritual washings of the old Covenant. Jesus is the true temple replacing the old temple. Chapter 3 introduces the new birth as the sole means of entering the kingdom of God. Chapter 4 introduces the Living Water of Life and the new place of worship, spiritual worship in Spirit and truth. In this message, we investigate the second the these five new things, the first cleansing of the temple.
Jesus came to reveal His glory -1-14- and the first 11 chapters of John are called the Book of Glory. The first chapters -2-4- reveal five new things that Jesus introduces to reveal that glory. The first sign is found in chapter 2, His turning of the water into wine. The great lesson to be learned here is that Jesus is the messianic bridegroom who will abundantly supply the new wine of the kingdom, the Spirit of God.
John the Baptist announced Jesus as the Lamb of God, a sacrificial reference to Isaiah 53, whose once-for-all offering would forever atone for the sins of His people and redeem them back to God. Jesus coming was ignored by the religious leaders because they were looking for the Messiah to be gloriously powerful and victorious as a conquering King destroying His enemies. His appearance as a lamb caused them to reject Him. Jesus expects his followers to take the same path, but, unbeknownst to the world, that path is one of victory and triumph. This has to do with appearance only. The power of God is dynamic in apparent weakness. Like John who was asked to look on the Lion of Judah in Revelation 5, he did not see a lion, but a lamb.
John came to precede the Christ as the forerunner predicted in Isaiah -40-3- and referenced by Malachi. Although John denied that he was Elijah promised -John denied that he was the person of Elijah-, but Jesus clearly stated that John was the Elijah promised. He came to call the nation to repentance, being a Levite, John faithfully did the work of a priest.
The first 18 verses of John's Gospel for a kind of introduction to the whole book. These verses establish the person of Jesus as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. John's purpose for writing the Gospel is found in John 20-30 and 31.-The uniqueness of John is seen in the perpetual conflict that Jesus has with the religious leaders of the nation, the Jews.-If anyone is to be saved and be joined to Christ and the Father, he must believe that Jesus is the Christ and gain His life, eternal life.
This final sermon on the solas of the Reformation is the roof all the other solas support. God does all things for His glory and when we seek to make His glory our ultimate purpose, we benefit by enjoying Him and finding our greatest pleasure and satisfaction in Him.
As the Good Shepherd, Jesus laid down His life for the sheep. However, this presents a problem. How can He be of any good to the sheep if He is dead. Here is the good news, He laid it down in order to take it again. This is the sign that Jesus gave when John introduced Him to public ministry in John 2 and His first cleansing of the temple. His resurrection is key to His saving and keeping His people.
In this message, we address two more of the five solas -only's- of the Reformation-grace and faith. The text we use is Ephesians 2 where Paul glories in the great love and mercy of God in saving His people.
This message develops one of the five solas -only's- of the reformation. The state church was teaching that Jesus was the Savior but His death on the cross provided only saving merits which were entrusted to the church and administered to believers through sacraments and good works.-The Reformers discovered from Scripture that salvation was only through Jesus' work on the cross and applied to the believer by the grace of God through faith in Christ alone.
This message and the messages to follow will rehearse for us the foundation of the Reformation, the five solas -onlys-- -1- only scripture, -2- only Christ, -3- only grace, -4- only faith, and -5- only to the glory of God. We briefly reflect on the history of the Reformation, focusing on the importance of John Wycliffe and his contribution, the Bible in the language of the people. The remainder of the message addresses the importance of the Scripture.
Divine wisdom that God wants for His people is defined as the skill to know what pleases God and to fear displeasing the Lord. God only grants this kind of wisdom and He only grants it to those who pursue it in the Word of God.-The pursuit of wisdom to believers today is critical because of the age in which we live. Romans 1 clearly describes our times. Due to the rejection of God and His ways, God has turned this culture over to a reprobate mind and foolish thinking.
Children need to be trained to react properly to the situations life puts before them. This is also true of God's children, who must be disciplined to -attain to the unity of the faith and knowledge of Christ-a mature manhood, the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. This discipline involves forsaking the futile mind and putting off the old self.
Wakefulness is often exhorted in Scripture. Although believers have been awakened from the slumber of spiritual death, they still have remaining sin that often lulls them into a carnal drowsiness. Peter illustrates this quite literally. He slept on the Mount of Transfiguration. Warned of his potential failure due to fleshly self-confidence, Jesus warned him in the Garden of Gethsemane to -watch and pray- lest he enter temptation. Again, Peter failed, but the Lord graciously prayed for him, pursued him, and restored him. His final exhortation to Peter was -follow me- -John 21-19-. There are three areas we are charged to vigilance- prayer, righteousness, and Christ's return. Let us not be sleeping at the wrong time.
All true believers are subject to the Father's discipline, which Paul addresses in Hebrews 12. Trials test the saints. False believers will fall away- true believers will be corrected, strengthened, and resolved to persevere. Trials test us to know what is in us -Deut. 8-2-. Job is an example of this testing. At first, he remained strong but in his own strength. He began to cave as the trial ground on -Job 19-8-10-. Job, however, soon learned that -the testing of your faith produces endurance- -James 1-3, 4-. God graciously came to him, and Job repented of his questioning God. He discovered that -He disciplines us for our own good, that we may share His holiness- -Heb. 12-10-.
The promises of the new covenant with all its divine recourses is so much better than the old covenant. Nevertheless, the trials and difficulties and persecutions that the church was suffering at the hands of oppressive religion and civil government was wearing them down. Hebrews addresses these issues with various admonitions --Let us--.-Hebrews 12 admonishes the believers to shed their sins and distractions, particularly the propensity to unbelief, and run the race set before them. The author of the book directs their attention to the fact that God was disciplining them away from self to true devotion to Jesus. The end of the race would be peace with people, holiness with God, great joy in the Spirit in the kingdom of God. The business now is to endure and faithfully follow Jesus. Until we are perfected at the coming of Jesus, we will endure the Father's discipline.
What is a church- Most people associate church with a religious organization and-or a building location. The OT concept of an assembly or congregation connects it with the dwelling place of God-the tabernacle or the temple. This is where God was worshiped as He dwelt among His people. Jesus built a new temple, a spiritual temple with His redeemed people. The church is where God now dwells among His people to be worshiped and obeyed as they gather in His name. How does this biblical model compare with many modern churches-
Peter clearly designates Lot as a righteous person. God graciously blessed Lot with great opportunities to come along with God's plan to make a great people of God from the descendants of Abraham. Lot was blessed with many material possessions. However, when the crisis opportunity came, Lot chose self-interests and self-advancement over God and His will. This is a sad reality with many Christians today. Instead of leaving all to follow Christ, many prefer to look on the well-watered plain of the Jordan and turn their eyes toward Sodom. Lot lost everything in the judgment of God and, thus, stands in biblical history as a fool.
The cancel culture witnessed in recent times is not new. Satan has worked from the very beginning to cancel the seed of the woman, Jesus Christ. He was despised and rejected. He came to save people who do want to even acknowledge that they need to be saved. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. Nevertheless, it is the means whereby God will destroy the wisdom of the wise.
The followers of the last Adam, Jesus Christ, are actually members of His household-His new family. Many claim to believe in Christ, but show no family resemblance. What do sons of God look like- They walk by faith and not by sight -2 Corinthians 5-6-10.
God's purpose from the fall of man in Genesis was to restore the kingdom of God under the rule of His human image-bearer. Psalm 8 declares that work accomplished under one who was, for a little while, lower than the angels. This reference could refer only to Jesus Christ in His incarnation. Hebrews 2 develops this text and demonstrates that through Jesus, God is creating a new race made holy and suitable for His restored kingdom on earth.
The Christmas message deals with the seed war declared in Genesis 3-15. The outcome of that conflict is declared in Revelation 12. However, the war could not be determined until the seed -singular- of the woman, Jesus came to earth. This is what we celebrate, or ought to celebrate at this time of year.
Revelation 13 declares that the beast is allowed to make war on the saints and to overcome them. This anti-Christian entity is given governing authority over the earth. Does such an entity already exist- Yes, and the system contrived frees people form all religious prejudice and cultivates social virtues, eliminating all obstacles to universal happiness in a state of liberty and moral equity. Based on human wisdom, it establishes a philosophy of humanism that has not need for God, establishing man as his own god. Paul, however, asserts from Isaiah 29 that God intends to destroy this wisdom through what the worldly wise consider folly.
Paul was first concerned with divisions in the church over certain men, all of whom were good men. Paul's concern was that the church understand that it was not the wisdom and eloquence of the preacher, but the power of God via the cross that was the saving factor. God's servants were merely the mouth pieces by whom the saving message of the cross was conveyed.
Luke 7 records a series of events in the life of Christ that involve the faith of the people involved- a Centurion whose servant was ill, a group of disciple of John the Baptist who asked Jesus if He was the one they expected, and a wicked woman whose sins were forgiven, loving Jesus by washing His feet.-Another great sermon by our elder, Ron Trowbridge.
Paul charged the church with sinning against the fellowship into which they were called by God when they were divided in the preference for the servants Christ called to minister to His body. This was a serious sin and became the first issue that Paul addressed.
Paul gave unqualified thanks to God for the grace given to the believers in Corinth. Despite their problems, which he will address in this epistle, these saints gave clear evidence of the grace of God working within them. Here is the great hope all who trust in and follow Christ. He will sustains and preserve us guiltless in day of judgment. This because God is faithful.
We introduce a new series on 1 Corinthians and introduce it by a brief survey of Acts 18 and the beginning of Paul's ministry their during his second missionary journey. I Corinthians was written on his third missionary journey. We learn many interesting truths from the introduction of the letter itself.
This message on God's judgment of Egypt is very timely. The chapter is divided into two parts. The first is a rebuke of Pharaoh Neco, who was defeated at Carchemish, costing him any further influence in Palestine. His defeat was a retribution for the death of Josiah.-The second part concerns Egypt's subjection under the Chaldean's during Pharaoh Hophra's reign. This word shows how the refugees from Judah met the same fate that Jerusalem suffered. God had previously warned them, -Do not go to Egypt.-
In the narrative section of Jeremiah -Chapters 26-45-, Jeremiah deals with various aspects of his conflict with the unbelieving nation. After the Babylonian invasion and destruction of Jerusalem, the Lord deals with the remnant left by the Chaldeans and ruled over by their governor. The text of this message focuses on those who defied the Lord and went to Egypt. Now they would suffer God's wrath as He was about to judge Egypt.
This message addresses the events prior leading up the destruction of Jerusalem under the Chaldeans. The long patience of God came to it final hour. Isaiah spoke to their deafness to God. Jeremiah demonstrates it. Nothing changes. Like Judah of old, people of all ages have deaf ears to the Word of God. They deny His wrath and day of its execution. However, God has pointed a day in which all will stand before the Judge, Jesus Christ.
A follow up on Ron's messages from Job. Paul describes his own suffering in the will of God. A great and encouraging message for our time. God is good and gracious and our suffering is a mercy that is designed to enable our transformation into Christ's likeness.
Jeremiah 36 presents a very interesting account of God's mercy toward His people and the importance of the Word of God in conveying that offer of mercy. Mercy is God's rule. The story behind the story is how God breathed out the Scripture.
This is a follow up to the message Ron preached on Sept. 20. Believers in this age suffer little compared to job. The expectation is that God is good -which is true- and thus, wants all His children to be worry free. Job reveals the purpose for suffering. Paul supports Job's observation but does so with the added benefit of hundreds of years of progressive revelation -2 Cor. 4-17-.
A great message on the suffering of God's servants at the hand of Satan and by the permission of God. The end which God seeks is to put His glory on display.
This story occurred 15 years prior but published here to remind the Jews of why God was judging them. The Rechabites were commended for their loyal obedience to their ancestor, Jonadab. The Jews, however, failed to honor their God. The side issue here is the faithfulness to mindless tradition, while ignoring the Word of God through the instruction and preaching.
This prophecy was written within days of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The Lord reaffirmed His determination to give Jerusalem into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, but the king would not die by the sword. The king, then spoke to the people and urged them to release their household slaves. The Lord required them to free them every seven years. They had not done that until now. For some mysterious reason, the Chaldeans withdrew from the siege. The king changed his mind and took the freedom away from the slaves. The Lord argued that the reneged repentance profaned His Name. This message discusses how the Divine Name is profaned.
The Lord's plan for His people is that they have fullness of joy and satisfaction in the will of God. The time they spend of earth is a time of discipline and trail, training them for ultimate joy in the New Jerusalem. However, even in trials, as they learn to trust the Lord, they can have great joy and rejoicing.
The Lord invited Jeremiah to -Ask of me, and I will show you great and hidden things- -33-3-. Then the Lord proceeded to tell of His plans to restore His people in joy and prosperity. This restoration would occur under the rule of the righteous Branch of the house of David. The restoration would also involve a new and a new righteous way of living.
As Jeremiah was imprisoned and the Chaldeans laid siege to the city, the Lord revealed that the prophet would be asked to redeem a field for his cousin. Seeing the futility of such a request, but trusting God, Jeremiah quietly and correctly followed through with the purchase. After that, he prayed and asked God for clarification. Jeremiah is a great example of the life of faith.
God's dealings with the rebellious nation was necessary to His plan to replace the old covenant. From the beginning of the nation, the Lord declared that the need of His covenant people was a new heart to make them willing and obedient. Hebrews demonstrates the glory of the new covenant in Christ.
In contrast to the Lord's severe and unrelenting purpose to punish the covenant people by the Babylonian Captivity, we come to chapters 30 and 31 of Jeremiah in which the Lord gives unqualified promises of kindness and restoration. Did these obstinate covenant breakers repent and seek restoration- No. What changed- Here we find the purpose of God to replace the old covenant with a new covenant of grace.
Jeremiah was instructed to write a letter to the exiles in Babylon. False prophets gave a -word from God- that their exile was temporary. They would be returned within two years. The letter informed them that God set them into captivity because they broke covenant and their sentence was 70 years, a lifetime.-The emphasis of this message is that those who preach the truth are unpopular for two reasons. Professors have a itching ears and want a flesh-satisfying message. Second, many popular preachers want ego-elevating praise and adulation. What is God's word to us today- Will we receive it or persecute the messenger-
We are living a time of tension between civil authorities and the churches. Just what authority does Caesar have over Christ's kingdom- What did our Puritan forefathers understand when the nation was founded and the Bill of Rights conceived-
God cursed the earth when Adam sinned. Therefore, suffering, hardship, tragic events, wars, conflict and death make living on earth difficult, but normal. Joseph is a perfect example of the trials God places on His own. Joseph suffered but trusted God's sovereign purpose for 20 years before God revealed His purpose to use Joseph to save many lives in a terrible famine. Jesus responded to the apocalyptic panic of the disciples when He announced the destruction of the temple. Jesus responded by telling them not to be alarmed. The events described would be be typical in the gospel age, not something special at the end of time. We live on a sin-cursed earth and God's mercy is abundant toward those who will acknowledge Him and live according to His rules.
David trusted in the Lord, who was to him Light, Deliverance, and Refuge. David expected preservation from his enemies, not because of his prowess as a warrior but in humble submission to the Lord who preserved him in every danger that confronted him. We can take hope and confidence in the Lord when we follow David's heart in seeking for the Lord as his only treasure.
The vision that the Lord gave to Jeremiah was that of good and bad figs. The Lord explained that the good figs depicted the righteous remnant in exile. The Lord gave a glorious promise of hope to those in whom His Spirit worked the grace of salvation -Jer. 24-4-7-. Even though these people suffered in the exile, the Lord promised to set His eyes on them for good. This is also a preview of the New Covenant to be established by Jesus at His first coming.
The Word of God is the power of God to transform vile sinners and bring in a New Covenant kingdom of righteousness and peace. Jeremiah demonstrates the power of the Word as God worked in His servant to accomplish His purpose in the judgment of His rebellious and unfaithful nation. The Word was in the prophet as a fire and hammer to accomplish the will of God.--The power of the Word of God through the Spirit is our only hope in these dark days. May God make His church as blazing light to dis spell the darkness and the power of God in inform and transform His people in furthering the gospel in our day.
God is Sovereign. The great principle established in the text is that God does not react to circumstances- he directs them to His own glorious ends. In this process He uses even evil to bring judgment unto righteousness.--Because God is sovereign in all things, the circumstances of Jeremiah's persecution were fully controlled by the hand of Him whose name is Yahweh Tsidqenu--the Lord is our righteousness- -Jer. 23-6-.
Revelation 11 demonstrates the prophetic purpose of God in the rebuilding of the second temple under Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest. The rebuilt city and temple prophetically pictured the gospel age and the building of His true temple in Christ, the church.
This message provides background for the message to follow on Revelation 11 and the two witnesses. Jesus died for His own, rose and ascended to the throne of glory. He rules now over all. Because the believers are united in Him, they partake of His resurrection now through regeneration, the first resurrection -Rev. 20-6-. This gives the believers the authority and power to rule and reign with Him in this gospel age.
Following the persecution suffered at the hands of Pashhur the priest, Jeremiah encouraged his heart in his God. -But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior- therefore my persecutors will stumble- they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten- -20-11-. The Lord did not promise an easy and prosperous ministry but He promised Himself in it. Knowing the Lord is all one needs to persevere in suffering.
Jeremiah was instructed to go to the potter and purchase a clay jar, take some elders, and go to the Potsherd Gate to preach a message announcing the ruin of the high places in the Valley of Hinnom. --Jesus unfolds the meaning of this place and its reference to the eternal punishment of sinners. Hell -Gehennah, Valley of Hinnom-. This terrible place is literal and awful. It is the destination of those who know not the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah is instructed to visit the potter's house and observe his reworking of a marred pot into another useful vessel. The Lord used this to argue for His right to rework marred Judah into a new and holy vessel. The Hebrew word for potter is -shaper- and the Lord plays on that word in verse 11, -I am shaping disaster . . .- The Lord's aim was to create a holy nation -1 Peter 2-9, 10- in Jesus Christ to fulfill His promise to Abraham.-This passage clearly argues for God's sovereignty in salvation. Paul cites the reference in two New Testament texts- Romans 9-19-29 and 2 Timothy 2-20, 21.
Jeremiah complained to the Lord that his preaching very unpopular truths was getting him persecuted, especially because the judgment threatened was not taking place. It made him look like a false prophet- so, he appealed to the Lord to judge and remove his persecutors to vindicate his service. The Lord responded, neither comforting him or explaining His apparent delay. He simple commanded the prophet to go preach in city gate and warn the people of their violation of the Sabbath.
Jeremiah tells us that there is a glorious throne set on high that is the place of our sanctuary. The throne suggests, for vile sinners, a grave danger of judgment, however, the prophet declares it a place of sanctuary, a refuge from danger. This is a glorious throne because of the mercy of God, Jesus came to redeem sinners and become their sanctuary from the wrath of God. He has been raised and seated on that throne at the Father's right hand.
In Jeremiah 16-14-20 God promises to restore the nation to her promised land. This is a strange thing because He has previously rejected the nation. The contradiction is resolved when we understand that the focus is on Christ and what He will do in the new covenant. This makes the old covenant obsolete and must be set aside. The principle of all interpretation must be to see Christ as central in all God's works, especially in regard to the failed covenant nation of Israel and Judah.
The New Testament gospels are based on eye-witness accounts of an incomprehensible but real happening. In the face of ruthless persecution, the early Christian community steadfastly insisted that the resurrection was an actual, unique historical event.-Christ's resurrection is the foundation of our hope of eternal life. Christianity is the only religion on earth whose founder claims to have conquered death by rising alive from the grave and promising that all His followers will, like Him, be raised to newness of life.
The Lord doubled down on His determination to judge Judah in the Captivity. Jeremiah appealed to the Lord to relent -14-21, 22-. The Lord responded by telling the prophet that Moses and Samuel could not intercede for the people. -Jeremiah took his eyes off the Lord and began to complain about his suffering and persecution. The Lord graciously encouraged the prophet to repent and trust in Him. He would be to him a sure refuge.
The triad of terror is sword, famine, and pestilence. This triad is found 27 times in the OT-17 in Jeremiah, 7 in Ezekiel, with one each in Leviticus 26-25 -the ground for all subsequent references-, 1 Chronicles 21-12, and 2 Chronicles 20-7-9. Because Israel and Judah broke covenant with God, He punished them with this terrible triad. The only mention of it in the NT is Revelation 6-7 and 8. This message argues that Israel's failure to keep covenant was allowed because the Lord desired to establish a new people-a new creation in the Last Adam, Jesus Christ, under a new covenant -the law of Christ-, who worship God in the true temple -the church of the living God-. This is the kingdom of God that will be eternal.
Two very unusual passages open Jeremiah chapter 13. By object lesson and parable, they illustrate Israel's breach of covenant for which divine judgment is soon to fall-the captivity of Babylon.--This message argues that, although Israel had the responsibility to repent and return to her covenant Lord, repentance is a gift of God as stated in verse 23.
A message to encourage the believers in the midst of the panic over the Covid-19 virus. This message points to the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 24 and the Revelation, not to suggest this to be a fulfillment of prophecy, but to show that Jesus is reigning today. He is on the throne and will reign until all his enemies are subdued. Then He will return.
Jeremiah complains to the Lord about the condition of the nation and the threats against his preaching the Word of the Lord to them, contradicting the false message of peace by the false prophets among them. The Lord rebukes Jeremiah by asking, If he is wearied while running with footmen, what will he do when he contends with horses- The point is that Jeremiah will face greater persecution and trials to come. God does not take us out of the fire. He walks with us through it.
Jeremiah was troubled about the threats of judgment because Judah refused to hear the word and warning of the true God. This portion of the prophet signals a strong warning to all who profess to be included in the new covenant but have uncircumcised heart -unregenerate-.
In this great passage, Israel's neglected and rejected Covenant Lord compares His greatness to the idols that His people foolishly and stupidly preferred to Him. We also must carefully examine our own hearts as to whether we truly fear Him and walk in His ways. It is not in man to direct his own steps -Jeremiah 10-23-.
Jeremiah refers to the people who rejected his warning as stupid, the English translating a word that usually refers to burning or purging. It is to be senseless, devoid of understanding of God, His ways, rules, and will.
Israel trusted in promises they did not understand and trusted prophets who assured them falsely that they were safe. When they suffered the judgment that the Lord warned them of, they were dismayed, but suffered the judgment threatened. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet both lamented the sad plight of the disobedient people but also fled in disgust the sins that brought the judgment on them. We must learn the lesson that we must immerse ourselves in the Word of God and submit to His work for and in us.